By: Jason Bishop

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The 2021 McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers finished the 2021 campaign with a 6-5-1 record with a second-round loss in the GHSA playoffs to Manchester.

The Buccaneers were disappointed with the second-round loss. MCA was predicted to make a deep run last year and was a dark horse Final Four team.

This year’s Bucs squad will not only have high expectations again this season but will also be the favorite to win their region.

With reclassification, the Bucs find themselves in Region 3-A Division II. This includes MCA, Portal, Emanuel County Institute, Jenkins County, and Montgomery County. The region should come down to the winner of MCA and ECI. My belief is MCA will handle the Bulldogs of ECI and win their region.

Here is a look at MCA’s 2022 schedule.

August 19^th: The Bucs will open at home at The Ship in Darien against the Savannah Blue Jackets. This should be a great way for the Bucs to get their feet wet.

August 25^th: MCA will travel to Between the Bricks at Glynn County Stadium in Brunswick to take on the Glynn Academy Red Terrors. Last season the Bucs played the Red Terrors to a tie despite the Glynn being a 6A program.

September 8^th: Coming off of a bye week, MCA will participate in the newly formed Border War Classic, where they will play a second straight game at Glynn County Stadium, this time against the West Nassau Warriors from Callahan, Florida

September 16^th: The Bucs will return home to battle with the Lanier County Bulldogs from region 2-A.

September 23^rd: MCA will again be at home at The Ship. The Bucs will host the 5A Bradwell Institute Tigers. This will be an interesting game as Bradwell is a much higher classification, but the Bucaneers will be looking to prove themselves as a Single A Title contender.

September 30^th: MCA will head back to the road, this time against the Atkinson County Rebels. The Rebels are also from Region 2-A.

October 7^th: Region play begins for the Bucs as they host the Jenkins County War Eagles.

October 14^th: The second game of region play will take place on the road at the Montgomery County Eagles.

October 21^st: The Bucs will host region rival ECI. This game against the Bulldogs will likely determine the winner of the region.

October 28^th: MCA closes out the regular season on the road against the Portal Panthers.

My prediction for the 2022 MCA Buccaneers: 9-1 and a region championship. I also believe MCA is a legitimate state title contender in the reclassified A division.

Also look for big years from QB JaReese Campbell, LB Lake Linton, RB/LB Ladarrious West and OL Daniel Rush and Danny Thomas.