Bishop Media Sports Network
Panic Button?
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Don’t panic.
The Falcons dropped to 0-3 in preseason games on Saturday with a 17-6 loss to Jacksonville, but that is no cause for concern for the Atlanta faithful.
After all, the Falcons themselves do not seem to be taking the entire notion of winning preseason games very seriously anyway. If you need proof, note who started the game against the Jaguars and who did not. Atlanta sat seven of their key starters.
That is not the kind of team that seems concerned about wins and losses as they are about working on specific needs and figuring out who will come out on top of positional battles prior to the first game of the regular season.
Yes, the result was a pretty ugly display against Jacksonville, despite Falcons fans hoping that Matt Ryan would shut down and shut up Jalen Ramsey after Ramsey call the star QB “overrated.”
Atlanta’s efforts against Jacksonville’s defense proved to be futile but it is worth mentioning that the Jags fielded their starters. Jacksonville adapted quickly and pressured the Falcons’ offense in a way that prevented the Dirty Birds from adjusting.
Atlanta only managed 261 total yards during the game and their rushing yards were abysmal, the majority coming from a big Tevin Coleman run.
Take that out of the equation and the Falcons only picked up 48. Overall the team only moved the ball an average of 4.7 yards per play. For good measure, Matt Ryan was also sacked three times. It was ugly.
But it’s okay.
Did you see Julio Jones on the field? Devonta Freeman? No, you did not. They haven’t lined up for a single snap during the first three preseason games and word is they may not see the field for the last tune up before the season starts either.
They don’t need to and Dan Quinn isn’t concerned about wins. So, the offense looked like a mess but they were missing two of the most dynamic pieces – just like for those first two losses.
Looking back on the games against the Jets and Chiefs, it’s more proof in the pudding.
In the game against New York, Atlanta’s starting defense made what amounted to a cameo appearance, disappearing quickly after just a handful of snaps.
The Falcons lost that game, of course, but what’s important is that when the team’s actual defense left the game, the Jets hadn’t put a single point on the board.
The players that ended up losing that game, to New York’s starters, are not going to be making an on-field impact during the regular season.
This kind of thing is par for the course for Dan Quinn and the Atlanta Falcons. Quinn likes to run prospects out during preseason and the results are what you would expect.
There are plenty of reasons for it. Julio Jones doesn’t need to prove anything, for example and it isn’t hard to imagine that Freeman’s preseason concussion from a few years back is a factor in the decision making. Why risk injury to your impact players when the wins and losses don’t matter?
It is also worth pointing out that last year the Falcons laid an egg in the preseason, going 0-4 and everything turned out fine to the tune of a 10-6 season and a playoff run.
There is always a sense of disappointment in a poor preseason showing. They are the first competitive football games since the Superbowl in the winter, after all.
However, the record isn’t the result that matters. This Falcons team is shaping up to potentially be a dominant force in the NFC, 0-4 or otherwise.
So, don’t panic.
Knights Un-horsed By Valwood
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Friday night, on Saint Simons Island, fans were treated to an almost perfect rematch of last year’s playoff season-ending loss to Valwood.
Not only was it scoreless at half-time like last year, but it was scoreless through regulation.
The game began with high emotion and back-to-back turnovers. First, Jaylin Simpson of the Knights intercepted Valwood’s Quarterback, Caleb Burns. The very next play, Frederica’s QB
Denver Anthony lost the ball as Valwood stripped it from his hands.
The rest of the game became a war in the trenches of the front lines. While both teams
struggled to find any offensive rhythm, both defenses played extremely well.
Cameron Gardner (Sr., 6’1, 210) of Frederica made his presence known on several occasions, including a goal line stand that forced the Valiants to turn the ball over on downs.
Head Coach Brandon Derrick praised his team for playing, “a hard-fought game.”
Throughout the game, the Knight’s offensive line struggled to keep Valwood from breaking
through and getting into the backfield. With the Valiants breaking the line regularly, Frederica
found it hard to get any consistent passing or rushing game going.
At half-time, the Knights had only managed one first down.
The second half started with Frederica receiving the opening kickoff and putting together a solid series of plays until QB Jaylin Simpson took a hard sideline hit and an injury forced his removal from the game. Injuries mounted for the Knights all evening and forced the team to adjust to mostly a running attack.
With the game tied at 0-0, late into the fourth quarter, Frederica’s Head Coach called for a long pass toward the end zone and it appeared to have been caught but was waved off by the
referees at the two-yard line.
Penalties filled much of the second half, which caused setbacks
to both team’s momentum.
The high emotion of calls affected several of Frederica’s players and resulted in two penalties that cost them 30 yards and another stalled out drive.
In overtime, Valwood received the ball first and scored with starting QB Caleb Burns
connecting with Willie Robertson for a touchdown. The extra point counted making it 0-7.
The Knights finally scored on Isaiah Jackson’s 16-yard run, making the score 6-7.
Head Coach, Brandon Derrick, chose to go for the win and attempt a two-point conversion rather than kick the extra point and be tied once again. Valwood’s defense stopped the attempt and gave Frederica another difficult loss.
Not only did the Knights suffer their second loss of this early season, but the team also has injuries to assess and heal before going on the road to face Bethlehem Christian Academy next Friday night.
Pirates Sunk By Bartram Trail
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Brunswick traveled into North Florida and ran into a buzz saw named Bartram Trail. The Pirates were blown out 35-12.
The Pirate offense put up some nice yardage but turned the ball over in the red zone too many times in the first that killed any momentum the unit developed.
The Pirate defense struggled all night to stop the Bears offense and gave up too many big plays on the evening. Brunswick High needs to find some answers on this side of the ball moving forward as the Pirates gear up for region play in October.
Pirate Report Card
Defense: D. Brunswick gave up a 95-yard drive after the offense fumbled in the red zone on the first possession.
Then they turned around and gave up a two play TD drive on the second possession to get down quickly, 14-0.
If not for Bartram committing penalties this game could have been 28-0 at the half.
Too many missed tackles, talented defensive backs getting toasted in passing situations, defensive line got manhandled all night, run defense needs to improve before region play.
Down 14-0 at the half and needing a stop the defense gave up an opening drive TD to go down 21-0. A scoop and score for a 63-yard TD kept this grade from being an F.
Major improvement is needed, but the positive is the unit is in position to make plays and they will as more game experience is gained.
Offense: D. Pirate rushing offense looked good all night. Jaylen Trimmings and freshman Chucolbe Hill looked good running the football.
Coach Pender stressed all week that he wanted his offensive line to take over football games this fall, as they are a team strength but in passing situations last night the OL gave up 8 sacks and gave up sacks on 3 straight plays late in the first half on a key drive.
The Pirates struggled all night in the red zone, coming away with 0 points on three trips, two turnovers and giving the football up on downs.
KJ Lee will continue to improve with game experience and Marlon Carmena is the most dynamic playmaker on offense and needs the ball in his hands more.
Seven turnovers in two football games will get better as the group gets valuable game experience under its belt.
Special Teams: C. A bad extra point snap and two huge penalties hurt and this area needs improvement, but the unit improved from the Coffee game. Mitchell Richburg punted well last night.
Coaching: C. Great game plan on offense, but execution let Brunswick down with turnovers and sacks. On defense Brunswick was in position most of the night but just did not execute.
Overall: C-. The night was full of sacks, turnovers, missed tackles. Bartram Trail was there for the taking if this team just had just executed the game plan. The team will improve by region time.
This Pirate team needs better play from some talented players in the secondary, more intensity from the offensive line and another receiver step up and join Marlon Carmena as a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball.
Also, Brunswick needs more passion from a defensive unit overall. The defensive coaches may need to shake things up on that side of the ball to wake a couple talented players up.
Next up: MCA next Friday in Darien
Terrors Bedevil Washington
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Glynn Academy Red Terrors hosted the Washington High Bulldogs Friday night between the bricks at Glynn County Stadium.
Washington High came in 0-1, losing to rival Douglass 22-12 in their opener.
The Terrors were coming off a loss to powerhouse Fort Dorchester in the opening week of the season.
Washington High jumped out to an early 6-0 lead. The Bulldogs took over on downs after a Glynn fake punt failed and the Bulldogs cashed the turnover in for six points. Washington High missed the PAT.
However, it did not take long for the Red Terrors to take control of the game after that. Glynn led 14-6 after the first quarter and 28-6 at the half.
The Red Terrors added a touchdown in the third to go up 35-6.
Midway through the 4th quarter the Terrors added another score on the ground to go up 42-6.
That 42-6 score would hold as the final. Glynn would score 42 unanswered points to close out the Washington High Bulldogs.
The Terrors rushing attack dominated the game. Glynn’s QB TJ Lewis looked great on the ground and completed several passes, leaving the Bulldog defense befuddled on how to stop the Terrors’ offense.
Glynn had five different players score touchdowns. Quantavious Bostic scored 2 touchdowns, TJ Lewis rushed for a TD, Nolan Grant pitched in a score for Glynn, Caden Hutchinson put a TD on the board and Alan Partin also found pay dirt for the Red Terrors.
Defensive End Marlon Taylor was a monster on defense for the Red Terrors and looked almost unblockable.
The young Red Terrors showed some improvement from last week but still has some room to get better in the big picture.
With the win, the Red Terrors improve to 1-1 on the season. Glynn Academy will host Groves next week between the bricks at Glynn County Stadium before getting a week off and then heading into a tough three game non-region stretch against Wayne, Ware and Camden. All of those games on the road.
Washington High falls to 0-2 on the season.
The game against Groves next week will be the Red Terrors’ Homecoming.
Blue Devils Survive
By: Josh Aubrey
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Anyone that had been to a Statesboro game over the past four years was probably thinking the same thing late in Friday’s season opener against Greenbrier, here we go again.
But unlike the past four years, The Blue Devils were able to make a big play at the end of the game, winning by a score of 7-3.
The Statesboro offense was unable to pick up a first down with just over two minutes left in the game, leading 7-3. Greenbrier ran a sweep on the first play from scrimmage and it went for 20 yards to the Wolfpack 40-yard line.
With 1:27 left in the game Xavier Lee picked off a Jackson Fulmer pass at the Statesboro 45 and returned it 8 yards. Greenbrier was out of timeouts and Statesboro was able to run out the clock for their first season opening victory since 2013.
“I can’t lie, it crossed my mind they ‘here we go again’,” said Statesboro head coach Jeff Kaiser. “But I’m very proud of our kids for showing some resilience, and making a big play when they had to. We had Xavier in a good spot and he made the interception to seal the deal.”
The story of the game was the Statesboro defense who allowed the Wolfpack only 104 total yards and 7 first downs, while coming up with a crucial 4 turnovers.
“Two players who really made a difference tonight for us were Ames Rackleff and Michael Dixon.” Kaiser said. “Ames is just a tenth grader, but he plays hard at everything he does, baseball, football or life. He is going to give you all he has. Michael is the same way, and they both stepped up tonight.”
In the second quarter the offense was finally able to take advantage of a Blue Devil turnover. Ames Rackleff picked off a Fulmer pass at the 37-yard line with 2:21 seconds left in the second quarter.
The offense was able to march downfield but had to convert on a fourth and six in order to keep the drive alive. Jaylen Robinson took the ball off the left side and pounded ahead for 8 of his 101 yards rushing to the Greenbrier nine-yard line.
On the very next play from scrimmage with 1:15 left quarterback Drake Horton walked into the end zone untouched, the extra point by Cody Parker was good and Statesboro took a 7-0 halftime lead.
“That touchdown before the half was huge,” Kaiser said. “When you win the battle of the turnovers by two like we did you should win the game and that touchdown came as a direct result of a forced turnover.”
Statesboro took a 7-0 lead into the fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth, Statesboro coughed the ball up again and Greenbrier recovered on the Statesboro 35-yard line. Fulmer then hit Jaden Smith for an 18 pick up to the Statesboro 18-yard line.
The Blue Devil defense was able to hold from there and Greenbrier had to settle for a 29-yard Ben Thorpe field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 with 6:08 left in the game.
Lee was able to secure with the win with the Blue Devils third interception of the game and the celebration began with the players mobbing Lee on the sidelines.
“I’m proud of these kids for learning from the past and being able to make plays when they had to,” Kaiser said. We are going to celebrate this tonight, but tomorrow it’s time to get ready for a good Liberty County team.”
Next up for Statesboro, they will host Liberty County Friday at Womack Field.
Glynn Academy Red Terrors Coachs Show with Rocky Hidalgo August 22
Brunswick High Pirates Coach’s Show with Sean Pender
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show With Brandon Derrick August 22
Eagles To Soar?
By: Mike Anthony
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
College Football season is here and the Georgia Southern Eagles are hoping that they will take the field fully healed.
The Eagles were relatively healthy on the injury report throughout 2017, but a final record of 2-10 – the worst in program history – left some lasting blows to the pride of both players and fans alike.
But hope springs eternal and, with Chad Lunsford ready to begin his first full season as head coach, the Eagles certainly give off the impression of a team ready to make a huge leap forward this season.
The main culprit in the Eagles’ consecutive losing seasons has been the disappearance of what had always been a dominant rushing attack. Georgia Southern led the nation in rushing in each of its first two seasons as an FBS member as its option attack routinely left defenses chasing skill players through open space.
The 2016 season brought about new head coach Tyson Summers and new co-offensive coordinators that saw the rushing attack start to spin its wheels despite a senior-laden depth chart.
And last year saw it all fall apart as another new coordinator (Bryan Cook) was ineffective with an offense that was breaking in a freshman quarterback and an inexperienced offensive line.
Georgia Southern now has its’ fourth OC in as many seasons, but there is reason to think that things aren’t looking up. Bob DeBesse now takes the reins of the offense after spending the last five years turning New Mexico into a rushing juggernaut.
The Eagles also have the gift of experience on both sides of the ball. Last year, there were only eight seniors on the roster, making them the youngest team in the nation. This fall, 19 starters return and – while their performance on the field needs to improve – there is plenty to be said for having a veteran starter at nearly every position.
Youth is still key however, as the Eagles pulled in one of the top-rated recruiting classes in the Sun Belt this spring and aren’t afraid to give their freshmen a chance immediately.
Helping out with that strategy is the new NCAA rule that permits players to be redshirted even with up to four games of action.
During a preseason booster event, Lunsford stated that some guys would see action immediately and would be reevaluated after four games. Other freshmen might be kept on the sidelines until the last month for more development and then given an audition in the last month.
Singled out among the true freshmen by Lunsford were C.J. Wright – a 285-pounder who could be the perfect fit as a nose guard in the Eagles’ new 3-4 defense.
Also mentioned was Davarious Bagnare, a receiver in high school who is now a slot back in an offense that needs the position to run, catch and block equally well.
The first two games will be vital for any hope of a big bounceback season.
An opener against South Carolina State should provide a quick win before Massachusetts – who beat the Eagles 55-20 last season in Summers’ final game before his midseason firing – comes to town.
If the Eagles can notch out a pair of early wins, they will be riding high. The Sun Belt projects to have three frontrunners in Arkansas State, Appalachian State and Troy, but the rest of the league is wide open.
If the Eagles’ offense can return to even a reasonable image of their former selves, there’s a decent chance that Georgia Southern could still be in the hunt for a bowl game in the final weeks of the regular season.
MCA Buccaneers Coach’s Show August 21
