Bishop Media Sports Network
Chomped
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Florida Gators won a close game against Mississippi State recently, 23-21.
They improved to 3-4 and are going went bye week before they play #5 Georgia on November 1st.
They fired head coach Billy Napier after the win, which was somewhat surprising.
Firing Napier was inevitable, I’m just surprised it came after a win. The #13 Gators did lose to South Florida at home in Week 2. I thought he would get fired during the season after that unless Florida went on a winning streak.
They followed that up with road loses to #3 LSU and #4 Miami. They did upset #9 Texas at home on October 4th. The next week they lost at #5 Texas A&M, 34-17.
Napier went 22-23 in four seasons at Florida, including 12-16 in SEC play. He was 5-17 against ranked opponents, including 0-14 away from home.
He is the play caller and he would not give that up, despite calls to do so. His record against rivals Georgia, Florida State, Miami, LSU and Tennessee is 3-12.
Napier is the first full-time coach at Florida to finish his tenure with a losing record since Raymond Wolf (1946 to ’49). He was hired in 2021 after going 40-12 in four seasons at Louisiana.
“Making this decision during the open date provides our team valuable time to regroup, refocus, and prepare for the challenges ahead. The timing also allows us to conduct a thoughtful, thorough, and well-informed search for our next head coach. We remain fully committed to utilizing every resource available to identify the right leader to guide Gators Football into the future,” athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a statement.
“I will conduct the search with a high degree of confidentiality to protect the privacy of those involved. The search will focus on the hiring of an elite football coach who will embody the standard we have at the University of Florida, and we will continue to provide all of the necessary resources for that coach, his staff and the players to be successful.”
Florida owes Napier roughly $21 million, with half of that buyout due within 30 days.
The rest will be spread over three annual installments beginning next summer, meaning that, since the Gators are still paying former coach Dan Mullen, they will be paying three head coaches for the second time in seven years once they hire Napier’s replacement. They did the same with Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain and Mullen in 2018.
Receivers coach Billy Gonzales was named interim head coach for Florida’s remaining five games. Georgia was already favored to win the annual Georgia/Florida game but I think they have a bigger advantage after this.
Florida is dealing with losing their head coach and trying to stay focused. They were not looking like a team that could get to six wins and a bowl game before Napier was fired. I doubt they will get better now.
“The standards and expectations for Gators football are to win championships — not simply to compete. We exist to win and will not settle for less. UF has never been more invested in the success of this football program — elite facilities, robust NIL opportunities and comprehensive support for our student athletes and staff — than we are today,” Strickland said.
Currently the Penn State and UCLA head coaching jobs are also open. I’m sure other high-profile positions will also come available later in the season. It will be interesting to see who UF hires as their next head ball coach.
Dragons Slayed
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As the High School Football season marches on the playoff picture begins to become clearer with teams around southeast Georgia.
Over on St. Simons Island the Frederica Academy Knights claimed another region championship. The Knights hosted Pinewood Christian Academy on Friday night and down the Patriots 28-14.
The win took the Knights to 6-3 overall and 2-0 in the region and clinched another Region Championship for Coach Brandon Derrick and his Knights of Frederica.
Frederica will trek up to Savannah to take on St. Andrews in the season finale with a possible 1st Round bye on the line.
The Brunswick High Pirates are currently the #2 seed in Region 1-5A with the #1 seed still a possibility. The Pirates are hoping either the South Effingham Mustangs or Effingham Rebels can upend the Statesboro Blue Devils in one of the last two games of the season which would allow Brunswick to claim the #1 seed.
Brunswick is 7-2 overall and 6-1 in region play. The Pirates will rest up on a bye this week before they play and will get ready to take South Effingham in the season finale.
The MCA Buccaneers went into Friday’s game against the Metter Tigers in a ‘must win’ situation to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Bucs did just that. Coach Bradley Warren’s Buccaneers went on the road to Metter and beat the Tigers 18-8.
The win pulls the Bucs to .500 at 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the region.
MCA’s defense has only allowed 15 points in the last 3 games.
The Bucs still have the Savannah Blue Jackets and the Portal Panthers on the docket. If they win both of those games the Bucs would be in as a #4 seed holding the tie breaker over both Bryan County and Metter.
The Glynn Academy Red Terrors are currently the #4 seed in Region 1-5A and have a big matchup this week against the Effingham Rebels. Effingham is currently the #3 team in the region.
This is a must win for the Red Terrors. A Glynn win would almost assure Glynn of a playoff berth at least as #3 seed. A Red Terror loss puts them on the outside looking in and Glynn would need a lot of help to get into the playoffs in the final week.
The Red Terrors are 5-3 overall in 2025 and 4-2 in the region. A #2 seed is still not out of reach for Terrors either with a little help. If Glynn Academy wins out and Statesboro drops another game the #2 seed would belong to the Red Terrors.
The Camden County Wildcats will be taking on the Colquitt County Packers and are coming off of a much-needed bye. After a 5-0 start the Camden County Wildcats have dropped 3 straight, all region games.
With losses to Valdosta, Lowndes and Richmond Hill Camden has to win in the Hog Pen in Moultrie to have a chance to make the playoffs.
For the Wildcats the path to the playoffs is a little complicated. Camden must beat both Colquitt and Tift in the final two and have Richmond Hill beat Colquitt in the season finale. This would give Camden the #4 seed. A loss to Colquitt or Tift would eliminate Camden from postseason play.
The Wildcats are currently 5-3 on the season and 0-3 in region play.
The First 100
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Frederica Knights defeated Bulloch Academy 35-20 recently to move to 5-3 on the season. As a result, the Knights coach Brandon Derrick reached the 100-win plateau in his career. After talking to Coach Derrick, I’m getting the feeling it’s just the start.
I’ve had the pleasure of watching him coach and mentor young men since he came to Glynn Academy as the Offensive Coordinator a dozen or so years ago. He coached my son Preston Delaney as the quarterbacks coach and OC at Glynn. And trust me, Preston absolutely loves the guy. I sat down with Coach last week and had a great conversation.
Brandon told me that while, yes, he was the Head Coach at Frederica he was really in the “kid business”. His real job was getting those young men ready and prepared for life.
He said, “Once you get on the Frederica Family Bus, you’re on it from now on and everyone is welcome”. He told me that sometimes the bus ride can be bumpy with a lot of hard work and some tribulations. But he added that there is a standard at Frederica to be held to and that requires kids to work every day to get a little better at football and life. He said that sometimes holding on to that standard can be tough and you learn more when you lose. But you get better.
Derrick spoke of the early days at McMinn Central in Tennessee where he was the Head Coach from 2006-2008. He took them from a 3-7 record to back-to-back 9-2 seasons. From there it was on to Glynn Academy and finally to Frederica.
The Frederica Coach spoke of the special teams at Frederica and included the 2018 squad with the great Jaylen Simpson. The 2020 state runner up squad and the 2021 team nicknamed the “mean 19”. Yes they only had 19 players!
I put him on the spot and asked who were the top 5 kids he had coached and he immediately told me that they were Jordan Jackson from McMinn, James Dean and Joe Nathan Alford at Glynn. Jaylen Simpson and Jordan Triplett from Frederica. That’s a great top 5!
We went on to talk about all the great high-quality players and kids he has had on the Frederica Bus. Names like Patrick Brunson, Jayshawn Sheffield, Harry Veal, Isiah Jackson and Michael Tindle. The list went on with Will Counts, Deke Jernigan, Josh Meadows, Thomas Veal, Garrett Squire, Brice Riley and Sam Norris. All great players and young men.
What struck me as I left his office was that we hadn’t really talked about the great games, wins and losses. We had mostly talked about the kids.
Brandon Derrick is indeed in the “kids business” and that’s a great big bus he’s driving. The Frederica Academy Knights, players, coaches and fans are very lucky to have him.
Congrats on the first hundred coach!
Brantley County Herons Coach’s Show w David Shores October 16 2025
Jason Bishop Show October 16 2025
Brunswick High Pirates Coach’s Show w Garrett Grady October 15 2025
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show w Brandon Derrick October 15 2025
McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers Coach’s Show w Bradley Warren October 15 2025
In The ATL
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The High School Football regular season is almost over.
Let’s take a look at how the top teams in metro Atlanta are doing before they head into the playoffs. I’m going to start with 6A.
#1 Grayson: The Rams (8-0) beat Rockdale County 58-10 last week. The defending 6A state champions are led by backup junior quarterback David “Deuce” Smith.
Four-star senior QB and UNC commit Travis Burgess suffered a season ending knee injury in the third game of the season.
“Hearing him go down, it was sad at one point,” Smith said. “Then it was excited like, ‘Your time is now,’ then it’s nervous butterflies, like, ‘Oh, shoot, it’s a big game coming up.”
In the Rockdale game, Smith threw five touchdown passes in the first half. Jovanni Watts returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown. Jonathan Stafford had three catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
Next: 10/24 vs. South Gwinnett (5-2)
#2 Buford: The Wolves (7-0) beat Dacula 58-7 last week.
Dayton Raiola, the younger brother of Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, was 9-of-11 passing for 184 yards and four touchdowns, two to Torre Costin.
D.J. McCoy rushed for 92 yards. Deion Miller had seven solo tackles.
Next: Friday at Central Gwinnett (3-3)
#3 Carrolton: The Trojans (8-0) made it to the state championship game in 2024.
Last week they beat Chapel Hill 56-7.
Rontre Welch returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and caught a 46-yard TD pass a few minutes later.
Jay Hagan returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown.
C.J. Cypher was 9-of-9 passing for 180 yards and three touchdowns. Mason Holtzclaw was 8-of-11 passing for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Next: Friday vs. East Coweta (1-6)
#5 McEachern: The Indians (7-0) used to be an elite program and they have returned back to that in 2025.
Last week, they beat Pebblebrook 51-14. McEachern led 34-0 in the first half. Calvin Pittman was 8-of-9 passing for 165 yards and three touchdowns, and Coby Pittman was 5-of-8 for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Jacorey Shockley had five receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Next: Friday at
#10 Hillgrove (7-0)
Now let’s take a look at 5A.
#1 Hughes: The Panthers (7-0) had a bye last week.
They lost the 5A state championship game last season to Milton. The closest game they had this season was a 13-point win over the #6 team in 6A, Douglas County.
Next: Friday vs. #10 Northgate (7-0)
#3 Gainesville: The Red Elephants (7-1) beat #5 Milton last week, 28-16.
Nigel Newkirk rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries.
Kharim Hughley was 12-of-19 passing for 117 yards and a touchdown. Marshall Leonard, Kadin Fossung and Jamarion Matthews combined for five tackles for losses.
Next: Friday vs. Chattahoochee (1-6)
#6 Roswell: Last week, the Hornets (6-1) beat Chattahoochee 57-13.
Trey Smith was 19-of-21 passing for 195 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
Dre Cousey had five receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
Next: Friday vs. Lanier (5-3)
Now we will take a look at 4A.
#1 Creekside (8-0): The Seminoles made history in their game last Friday.
They beat Drew 91-0, which is the widest victory margin in a GHSA game since 1967.
They did not score an offensive touchdown in the second half.
The closest game they had this season was a 20-point win over Rome in the season opener.
Next: 10/24 at Jackson-Atlanta (6-2)
Bedeviled
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Week nine of the high school football season was full of unexpected outcomes and the playoff picture beginning to solidify.
The Brunswick High Pirates looked as if they may coast to another region title in region 1-5A. However, the Statesboro Blue Devils had other plans hosting the Pirates at home at Womack Field.
BHS entered the game at 6-1 and they were undefeated in the region. The Pirates’ lone loss came way back in week 1 to the Camden County Wildcats. Statesboro entered the game tied for second place in the region with their lone region loss to Glynn Academy and 4-2 overall.
The Blue Devils got up early 14-0. Brunswick battled back in the second half and held a 21-20 late. However, the Blue Devils took a 26-21 lead and sealed the game with a late safety for the 28-21 final.
The win for Statesboro gives them an inside track for their first region title since 2005; they won the state title that year.
There is no better rivalry in GISA than Frederica Academy and Bulloch Academy. The Knights and Gators renewed their rivalry with Bulloch Academy a significant favorite to win the game. That did not matter to the Knights.
In this rivalry you can throw all records and stats out the window and Frederica showed us why.
The Knights Head Coach Brandon Derrick was fresh off his 100th career win the week before against the Robert Toombs Christian Academy Crusaders.
The underdog Knights beat Bulloch handily 35-20 in the ‘Bloody Marsh’ on St. Simons.
With the win Frederica improved to 5-3 on the season and 1-0 in region play. It also makes them the favorite to win their win, which comprises of Frederica, Bulloch, Pinewood and St. Andrews.
For Bulloch Academy it was their second loss of the season and made them 6-2 overall.
The MCA Buccaneers came into their game against the Bryan County Redskins having lost four of their last five games and needing a win just to stay in the playoff picture.
The Bucs lone two wins coming into the game were against the Islands and Claxton, not exactly state title contenders.
MCA had lost a heartbreaker to Jenkins County the week before 7-0 in a region tilt. Against Bryan County they turned the tables, this time winning the game 7-0.
The loss for Bryan County more than likely eliminated them from being able to make the playoffs.
The win kept slim hopes alive for MCA in Region 3-A Division 2 as far as making the playoffs. The Bucs have games against Metter, Savannah and Portal remaining. More than likely, The Bucs must win out to get into the playoffs.
Down in Kingsland the Camden County Wildcats continued to struggle in region play. The Cats hosted the Lowndes County Vikings at Chris Gilman Stadium and were downed by the undefeated Vikings, 35-14.
Lowndes has a pretty firm grasp on winning Region 1-6A. Their final two games are both on the road with Richmond Hill and then against rival Valdosta.
Meanwhile for Camden, not making the playoffs is beginning to look like the reality. The Wildcats are 5-3 and 0-3 in the region. The Cats started 5-0 but have now lost three straight, all region games. Those losses include Valdosta, Richmond Hill and Lowndes.
Camden has Colquitt and Tift left on the schedule.
Historically, two region wins will get you in the playoffs in this region. That would not be the case for Camden. The Wildcats need to win out and have Colquitt drop their last game to Richmond Hill for a #4 seed.
