Bishop Media Sports Network
MCA Buccaneers Coach’s Show August 21
Tough Hunt For Tigers
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
To steal a quote from The Office, “It’s like we’re touring Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and dropping off, one by one… Well, guess what? I’m not falling in a chocolate river.” The comment is made by Ed Helms’ character, Andy Bernard, in reference to the number of Bernard’s coworkers that have quit since the Stamford branch merged with Scranton.
However, when I came across that episode the other night, it automatically made me think of the LSU Tigers.
In recent weeks, leading up to the start of the college football season, LSU players having been diving head first into the chocolate river. The Tigers have lost two players to transfer and another three to indefinite suspensions.
Granted four of those players weren’t expected to make much of an impact this season- Ed Ingram being the one possible exception- but this is not the kind of publicity any team wants before the season starts.
So, what about the players LSU will actually put on the field this year? It’s kind of a wash, rinse, repeat situation. Their defense will be one of the league’s best; they have a new offensive coordinator that promises to open up the playbook and throw the ball downfield more; and they have a quarterback who they guarantee will be able to handle the passing game, even though there’s nothing in his past that should make you believe it. Sound at all familiar?
Like most SEC schools, the expectations are always high in Baton Rouge, but even those seem to be tempered somewhat this year.
While I’d be hesitant to put too much stock into their success this season based on the product they’re likely to put in the field, it’s their schedule that’s really daunting.
Things will change as the season begins and games are played but don’t be surprised if LSU winds up playing seven games against teams that will wind up spending time in the Top 25.
Besides the normal gauntlet of SEC West teams (Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State) they’ll face, their two opponents from the SEC East will be Georgia and Florida.
That’s like entering a three-point shooting contest against two other people, only to find out those two people happen to be Steph Curry and JJ Redick.
It’s not like they took it easy with their out of conference scheduling, either. They could’ve gone the route of other programs and had home games against teams like the College of Underwater Basket Weaving, and the University of Perpetual Sorrow.
Instead, they begin their season on a neutral site against the Miami Hurricanes, a team with legitimate playoff aspirations.
It may not bode well when it comes to their overall record, but you won’t be able to knock the level of competition the Tigers will be facing.
Speaking of their record, 1999 was the last time the LSU Tigers failed to win at least eight games. Not that it’s impossible, but I have a hard time seeing them reach that eight win plateau this year.
Every football season at LSU begins with the goal of winning the national championship; the proverbial “goose that lays gold eggs for Easter”, so to speak. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, as I believe every program should start the season with that goal in mind, even if it’s a bit unrealistic.
All I’m saying is don’t be surprised if three weeks into the season the Tigers remind you more of Veruca Salt’s ultimate fate than Charlie Bucket’s.
KIller Owls
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For Kennesaw State, it’s going to be hard to look past the first game of the season. The Owls take on the Georgia State Panthers at Turner Fie- I mean Georgia State Stadium. It’s FCS versus FBS and while that tends not to bode well for the FCS school, this is not the case. If you had to pick a game for an upset during the 2018 season, this might be the place to look.
The Panthers are rebuilding and Kennesaw’s high-powered offense reloaded, this could be a big game for the Owls.
But there are ten more games that will need to be played regardless of whether or not KSU can get one over on Georgia State, so let’s dive into what the team looks like.
For a team that is about to enter its fourth year of existence, Kennesaw State has made quite a statement. Last season they won 12 games and fell a touchdown and an extra point shy of reaching the FCS semifinals, in year three.
From that stellar team returns 18 starters, including Chandler Burks, who accounted for 27 touchdowns in 2017, as well as linebacker Bryson Armstrong, outside lineman C.J. Collins, wide receiver Justin Sumpter and linebacker Anthony Gore, just to name a few.
The Owls offense was the star of the show last year, with Kennesaw State possessing the ball for more than 33 minutes per game – good for 8th in the FCS.
They also had the best turnover margin in the country and ranked second in third-down conversions. But the real sexy number is 330, as in rushing yards per game. Six players on the squad rushed for at least 300 yards on the season in 2017 and all six of them are back for more in 2018.
The other side of the ball didn’t get as much love but Armstrong was the best freshman in the nation last year and led the team in sacks, tackles for loss, fumble recoveries, forced fumbles, and tackles. And the next two guys (who are back) had at least 50 each.
It also doesn’t hurt that Kennesaw’s top recruit, Markeith Montgomery, is a defensive back.
Needless to say, this still-fresh football program has already set the bar very high for itself. Expectations are in the stratosphere, with the Owls the heavy favorite to win the Big South Conference and are expected to compete for the FCS Championship at the end of the season.
They have continued to build upon each season, so making it to and even through the semifinals is the next logical step. The likes of James Madison University and North Dakota State University await them at the top of the heap. Not too shabby for a school without a football team in 2014.
That Georgia State game looms large and is the first time the Owls have put an FBS team on the schedule. While an upset would certainly make a huge statement, the Owls need to make sure that win or lose they keep their offense and defense firing on all cylinders as they move on to Alabama State and Samford in the early part of the season before a stretch of five Big South matchups in a row.
Those are the games that will end up being meaningful, regardless of the outcome of that showdown against the Panthers.
With so many of the key pieces returning and a (short) history of constant improvement, this is going be a fun season for Kennesaw State.
Frederica Wobbles Goliath
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
What was billed “David vs. Goliath” game turned into an “Ali vs. Frazer” type blow-by-blow experience under the Oaks at Frederica Academy Friday night before a record crowd.
In Friday’s home opener Frederica welcomed Charlton County, a class A school, that brought with it almost double the 30 players that make up the entire Knights 2018 roster. Yet, with the numbers not in their favor, the Knights made a valiant effort in the 28-21 loss.
The first quarter got off to a slow start after a 30-minute lightning delay. However, the energy level and output of both teams jumped into high gear when JT Elliott of Frederica picked off a Raykwon Anderson’s pass attempt.
Eventually, that quarter would end 0-7 in favor of the Indians as they scored off of a broken play, 55-yard pass connection between Anderson and Seaquon Clark.
During the second quarter, each team’s defense showed their strength as it was a seesaw battle back and forth, with little movement. Finally, with 5:02 left to go before half-time, the Knights scored off of a 1-yard touchdown run by Senior QB Jaylin Simpson. The extra point was no good and the half-time clock ran down with Knights down 6-7 to the Indians.
The second half exploded with three consecutive touchdown scores off of three kickoff returns in a span of less than a minute and a half. First, Frederica’s Patrick Brunson (Sr) ran back a 95-yarder making it 14 -7. Charlton Country retaliated with an 80-yard return by Clark.
Senior running back and kick returner Isaiah Jackson then ran back yet another 85-yard kick-off return -the game up at 21 all. Which would be the score at the end of the third
quarter.
The fourth quarter resembled a heavyweight boxing match as each team exhibited signs of physical and emotional exhaustion as they gave their all in the intense heat and humidity.
Most of the fourth quarter featured each team’s defense standing firm. Finally, with under 3 minutes left in the game, Randy Nelson of Charlton County picked off a Knights pass and returned it for a TD.
After the epic battle, head Coach Brandon Derrick commented, “This game was intended to be a test and I believe my team passed it. We proved we can play at this level, and hold our own.”
Another take away from Coach Derrick was that “We stayed mentally tough in spite of a couple of turnovers.”
Next week the Knights will play at home again and face Valwood, the team that eliminated Frederica from advancing to the state championship game in Mercer last season.
Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. and, much like this game, it’s expected to be another battle of attrition.
Rough Launch For Pirates
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
On a rainy night in Douglas the Brunswick High Pirates fell to the Coffee Trojans 20-7 in the season opener for both schools.
The Pirates started out slow going down 13-0 with 9 minutes left in first quarter and then failed to cash in on a couple of scoring opportunities late in the half with a dropped TD pass and a missed FG on the last play of the half.
The Pirate run defense made some improvements in the second half. Coffee cashed in on a fumble and scored a touchdown to make it 20-0 early in the 4th quarter. Brunswick answered with a 10-yard TD pass from KJ Lee to Xavier Bean to make the final score 20-7.
Pirate Report Card.
Offense: C+. The offense moved the ball well most of the night. It was a wet night and the Pirates committed three turnovers and dropped a punt snap that resulted in two Coffee TD’s.
KJ Lee looked good for his first varsity start. Jaylen Trimmings looked very good running the football. The offensive line did a decent job against a championship caliber defense and Xavier Bean had his coming out party at WR. Che Foy looked good in space with football in his hands.
The Pirates need to clean up the drops as they dropped two TD passes. The penalties, turnovers and drops will get cleaned up with more game experience. This unit is going to be very good by the time region play starts.
Defense: C. Run defense needs to be cleaned up. The secondary did not play as well as I expected. I was proud of the effort on this side of the ball however. More game experience and an upcoming addition at middle linebacker will improve the run defense.
This group hung in there when things looked bad early. It was 13-0 before the BHS band took their seats; gutty effort to keep BHS in the game.
Special Teams: D. Poor snaps all night, dropped snap that led to a TD, and a missed 27-yard FG. Special teams will get better as last night was first live action for this group for the season.
Coaching: B. The team had a good game plan. Coaching made some good adjustments all night and the improvement from spring to first game against #2 ranked Coffee was significant.
Overall: C. A loss is a loss, but the young Pirates have good talent and good coaching.
The future is bright and this edition of the Pirates will be fine when region play starts.
Young Terrors Earning Stripes
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Red Terrors opened the 2018 season at home against Fort Dorchester from South Carolina. Fort Dorchester is a powerhouse program in the Palmetto State.
Glynn Academy came in with a very young team having lost 19 seniors. The Red Terrors found themselves down 28-7 early.
Glynn fought back and pulled within 31-21 before Fort Dorchester pulled away late and went on to win 36-21 over the Red Terrors.
Head Coach Rocky Hidalgo typically schedules tough games early in the season to test his team so the Terrors will be fire tested come playoff time. This was no different.
We can look for the Red Terrors to have some growing pains early on in the season with a young team.
Glynn will see Wayne, Ware, and Camden in the coming weeks, all non-region games. The Red Terrors will travel to Jesup, Waycross and Kingsland for those games, all consecutively.
However, before that the Red Terrors will host Washington High next week between the bricks at Glynn County Stadium.
Washington is a high that is rebuilding and should be a game the Red Terrors will be able to see their young talent play well.
Once Glynn get into region play they will see Richmond Hill, Brunswick High, Effingham and Bradwell. The Red Terrors are the favorite to win the region but need to see their young talent mature for that to happen.
After Washington High the Red Terrors will play Groves at home before starting with the aforementioned gauntlet with Wayne, Ware and Camden. Groves is another program that the Terrors should play well against.
Overall, a good effort by the Red Terrors to stay in the game against Fort Dorchester and get the game close. A lot of good things happened in the second half for the Red Terrors to build upon.
If this season goes the same way the previous few have under Rocky Hidalgo the Red Terrors will once again make a deep playoff run and will be a state title contender.
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show with Brandon Derrick
Brunswick High Pirates Coach’s Show with Sean Pender
The Glynn Academy Red Terror Coach’s Show with Rocky Hidalgo
Bears With Bite?
By: Mike Anthony
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As Mercer enters its sixth season of play since reviving its football program in 2013, the biggest question is whether the Bears can get over the hump.
After bursting onto the scene with a 10-2 record in their first season back on the field, Mercer made the jump from the Pioneer League to the much more challenging Southern Conference. For the last four seasons, the Bears have shown their teeth at times, but have always settled near the middle of the pack.
Mercer has finished a combined total of 8-8 in league play over the last two seasons, but with plenty of question marks around the SoCon outside of prohibitive favorite Samford, 2018 seems to be the perfect time for the Bears to make a move.
As the season begins, the most dependable facet of the team remains its head coach.
Serving as the head Bear since the team’s return to competition, Bobby Lamb – formerly of Furman – has been a steadying force. He faced the steep task of starting a program from scratch and has quickly made the Bears a concern on any team’s schedule.
So, when it comes to 2018, the question remains the same as the last couple of years. Can the Bears take the next step?
To ask the SoCon media that question, you’ll get the same, tepid maybe? Mercer didn’t get a first-place vote in the preseason poll and is picked to finish fourth – right in the range of another 4-4 conference mark.
But the Bears have plenty of reasons to hope for more than that. First and foremost, in that optimism is the return of quarterback Kaelan Riley. Pressed into action as a redshirt freshman last season, Riley responded with over 2,000 yards of offense, including 13 touchdown passes and four more rushing touchdowns.
Riley will continue to lead the Bears’ shotgun, no-huddle attack that will be further balanced out by the return of 2017 leading rusher Tee Mitchell.
Experience across the board will be Mercer’s biggest offensive asset as Lamb’s years of guidance, Mitchell’s seniority, and Riley’s proven leadership will have the Bears confident in any situation.
The defensive side of things also hints at an upward trend for Mercer. The Bears allowed a respectable 23.4 points per game last season and return six of their eight leading tacklers from the 2017 squad.
Highlighting the returners on defense is Will Coneway who was involved on 66 tackles last season, with six of those tackles going for a loss and three fumbles forced.
Mercer should continue to put up workable offensive numbers each week. The Bears’ ultimate fate this season will lie in how well its defense can adjust and perform from week to week.
Pass-heavy Samford and run-heavy Furman are the favorites in the SoCon. Running down the preseason rankings, the conference is full of teams whose offensive attacks will force defensive coordinators to vary their schemes wildly from week to week.
With the Southern Conference strong enough to send two or three teams to the playoffs, this will be a barometer season for Mercer. The Bears have been and should continue to be playoff-caliber on certain Saturdays.
The next step is to keep it consistent through an entire season and clinch the Bears’ first FCS playoff appearance.
