Bishop Media Sports Network
The Game October 29
Best QB Division In NFL?
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When it comes to sports, it feels like we have a statistic for just about everything. Such and such is shooting this particular percentage from beyond the arc in the right corner. This particular batter has a certain batting percentage when there are two on two out, facing a left handed batter. That team has a record of whatever when playing on the third Sunday of the month of the season, on the road, against a divisional opponent, when the game is at 4:00 and nationally televised.
For the most part, all the stats that teams take a lot of stock in are useful, but to me, nothing beats the eye test. So, I am going to attempt to write about why I think the best collection of quarterbacks in the NFL currently reside in the NFC South, without using a single stat to back it up.
To start with, let’s go ahead and eliminate the obvious divisions that are inferior when it comes to the overall play of their QB’s: NFC West (Rams and 49ers), NFC North (Bears), and the AFC North (Browns).
That’s not to say there isn’t some fantastic quarterback play coming from those divisions. It’s just that when you’re receiving the type of craptastic play those teams I mentioned are giving, you can’t really argue they’re stronger than the NFC South.
The next two divisions that won’t make it past the second round are the AFC East and AFC South. The East has arguably the best quarterback in NFL history with Tom Brady, but Fitzpatrick is playing like the guy nobody wanted to pay this offseason; Tannehill is inconsistent, and Taylor’s play gets me about excited as watching Once Upon A Time with my better half.
As for the South, I like Luck, Mariota, and Bortles, but I’m not sold on Osweiler. Throw in Blake’s disappointing season so far, and they’ll be getting their “Thanks for playing” card in the mail any day now. I will say this though, in another three years or so you may not find better quarterback play than in the AFC South.
Now, if my math is correct that leaves only two divisions left: AFC West and NFC South. I like all the quarterbacks in the West, but Winston, Brees, Newton, and Ryan are better than anyone Denver or Kansas City can throw out there. Carr is probably the only one I’d halfway consider taking over any NFC South quarterback, and that would probably be just Winston.
The NFC East is the only division I think comes all that close. Prescott and Wentz have both surprised me with how quickly they have adjusted to the league and look like they are going to be around for a while.
Cousins seem to be able to play the part, but there’s just something about him that prevents me completely buying in. And as much as I have rooted for Eli over the years, his statute of limitations for his two Super Bowls has about run out. He can still be an effective quarterback, but as of right now, he’s probably the worst of the four. Ok, maybe they’re not as close as I thought.
When they’re all on their game, the NFC South has three of the top quarterbacks in the NFL (yes, this year I’m including Ryan in the conversation) and a young QB with tremendous upside. They may not be the league’s strongest quartet down the road, but for right now they are. If you don’t believe me, I’m sure there are some stats out there to prove my point.
Glynn Show October 30
BHS Show October 30
Glynn Academy Wins Region
By: Garrison Ryfun
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
This October was all about region play and the Glynn Academy Red Terrors are now 8-1 with a game left in the regular season.
This month the Terrors have took on Wayne County, Brunswick High, Richmond Hill, and Effingham. They won all those games and are now Region Champs.
The first game of the month took place on September 30th against Wayne County.
The Yellow Jackets came into this game winless and with an offense that was occasionally productive.
Deejay Dallas and Kendall Cross again put on a show in the matchup against Wayne. The squad for Jesup was never able to get in the End zone against the Terrors stout defense and Glynn won in a Shutout 34-0.
Up next was the Effingham game but due to Hurricane Matthew and the mandatory evacuation, the game was postponed until October 25th.
That start of region pay became the City Championship and it had to be moved a day because of the hurricane. So, we got to witness Saturday Night Lights in Glynn County Stadium against the Brunswick High Pirates.
Brunswick High and Glynn Academy has always been a great rivalry. This night was no different as Shawn Smith took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown.
Glynn was without their starting kicker but the depth behind him shined in a lot of places.
John Henry Butler became the PAT kicker and didn’t miss a kick. Andrew Delaney, the starting Tight End, also had a 45-yard punt that pinned BHS inside the 5.
The defense gave up a lot of points to a talented BHS squad but this high-powered Glynn Academy offense has been hard to stop. Glynn won in a close one 35-28.
Up next Glynn had to face an Undefeated Richmond Hill squad at Richmond Hill. Now I must say this game worried me a little bit. Before this game, 17 points was the most anyone had scored on Richmond hill.
Glynn ended up winning the game 57-27. The most points scored under Rocky Hidalgo and almost the first time that we have had three 100 yard rushers.
Glynn, as a team, rushed for 517 yards and passed for 166 yards. That’s 683 total yards, believed to be a school record.
The final game of the month was against Effingham. The hurricane-rescheduled football game took place on a Tuesday night.
It almost felt weird doing a game on Tuesday night at Glynn County Stadium. This Glynn team didn’t seem to mind though. The Terrors picked up where they had left off!
After a 4-day turnaround, the Terrors still looked fresh and dominated this game from the first snap. Glynn again almost had 3 100-yard rushers. We even got to see Randon Jernigan at quarterback.
The Terrors shut out another team this month with the 48-0 win over Effingham.
This Glynn Academy Red Terrors team somehow keeps improving every week and looks to be a state title contender in 6A football.
The option offense has become so deadly and consistent for Glynn Academy and the defense has played their hearts out all season long.
They have one regular season game left against Bradwell. After that game starts the playoffs and what looks to be a deep playoff run for the Terrors.
The Terrors have wrapped up their second region title in a row.
Frederica Banishes Bethlehem Christian
By: Jeff Doke
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Last year, the Frederica Knights found themselves somewhere unexpected; at home for the first round of the GISA Playoffs.
After a tough rebuilding 2014 campaign, the surprising 3-1 region/7-3 overall record in 2015 was good enough to land the Knights with home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The run for the State Championship ended early, losing to Gatewood 14-3 in the first round.
2016, however, is a VERY different year. This year’s Knights more than made up for the previous year’s loss, opening up the playoffs with a decimating 52-14 victory over Bethlehem Christian.
Head Coach Brandon Derrick has spoken numerous times throughout the year as to when he hoped this team would hit their stride. He was worried about hitting the peak too early, that he would prefer his squad to start firing on all cylinders by week 8, fully hitting their stride for the playoff run.
And fire on all cylinders they did this week. The Knights defense opened the game with a three & out. Once the offense took the field, it looked like they were going to pick right back up where they left off two weeks prior (a 34-7 victory over Edmund Burke Academy). The drive ended, unfortunately, with an Isaiah Jackson fumble just inside the red zone.
This would be Jackson’s only “lowlight” of the game. Following the fumble, the sophomore running back put together one of the finest two quarters of high school football I have ever witnessed, scoring three times on runs of 1, 54, and 55 yards.
Twenty four minutes of play, over a hundred yards rushing, and three touchdowns. Not a bad night’s work, to put it mildly.
It wasn’t all Jackson in the first half, however. Fellow sophomores Patrick Brunson and Jaylin Simpson also found the endzone; Brunson on an iconic crossfield 65-yard punt return and Simpson on a 9-yard pass from Sophomore QB Gaven Williams.
Senior CB Chris Myrick also got in on the action, adding a 54 yard interception return for a touchdown. at halftime, the score was already 45-0, and the Knights were fairly confident of the victory.
The night wasn’t done for the offense, though. After sitting out the first two quarters, Sophomore RB Jashawn Sheffield tacked on a 50-yard touchdown run on the second play of the 2nd half. For those of you scoring at home, that’s five touchdowns of 50+ yards on the night. Electric doesn’t begin to describe this team.
“These kids are very focused, very in to what we’re trying to do,” said Coach Derrick after the game. “We’ve got a bright future.”
The future continues next week under the oaks against Deerfield-Windsor out of Albany, GA.
“They’ve got a lot of skill kids,” speculates Coach Derrick. “They’re gonna match up well with us at times, it’s going to be a pretty even game.”
Final thought; while the playoffs continue, it’s hard not to look ahead for this squad. When you realize that you’ve got five amazing sophomores in Williams, Sheffield, Simpson, Jackson, and Brunson, it’s hard not to feel a giddy sense of anticipation about the next few years.
There is a core of players on this Knights team that would make any coach jealous, regardless of if we’re talking GISA, GHSA, or otherwise. It’s difficult to look at this team and discount them simply because of the league they are in. They’re focused, they’re executing, and they are driven.
And in three more weeks, hopefully we’ll be able to add “they’re champions” to that list. The March to Mercer continues…
Pirate Ship Still Afloat
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
With so much uncertainty surrounding the Brunswick High Pirate football program this week coming off two straight region losses to inferior teams the Pirates kept their playoff hopes alive with a 24-10 win over a favored Richmond Hill.
It was senior night at the stadium and Coach Larry Harold had his team chomping at the bit to play and the Pirates played inspired football.
Frederica Show October 26
Atlanta Hawks To Fly Over Hump?
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Although we are smack dab in the middle of the football season, the NBA has tipped off its 2016-2017 season, and the Atlanta Hawks will do the same with a totally new look with the free agent signings of Dwight Howard and Kent Bazemore.
Terrors Eyeing Playoffs
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Glynn Academy Red Terrors took another huge step in claiming their second region title in two years; knocking off the Effingham Rebels 48-0 last night at Glynn County Stadium.
The game was a make-up due to Hurricane Matthew and is the Terror’s 2nd game in 4 days. The other being a 57-27 win over Richmond Hill on Friday.
The Terrors came out and handled business. They jumped out to an early lead and lead 21-0 at the end of the 1st quarter and 34-0 lead at the half. The Rebels ended up on a running clock in the 4th quarter and could have been on a running clock in the 3rd but Coach Buddy Holder refused the option for Effingham.
Glynn is now 8-1 on the season and 3-0 in the region.
The Terrors will now head into an off week and recoup from the craziness of Hurricane Matthew.
Glynn Academy will wrap up the regular season on the fourth of November against Bradwell Institute. There is a chance that by the time that game is played the region will already be wrapped in a nice bow for the Red Terrors.
If Bradwell Institute falls to Effingham on Friday night Glynn Academy would clinch the region title before they ever took the field against Bradwell.
If the Terrors claim the number 1 seed in region 2-6A they would take on the #4 seed from region from 4-6A. A lot is still to be determined in that region, but the Terrors would draw either Drew, Jonesboro or Mt. Zion in the first round.
Glynn is going to make another deep playoff run. This is a playoff tested team who has been through the gauntlet before and did it last year mostly on the road. This year the Terrors’ run will mostly take place at Glynn County Stadium. That will be a huge advantage.
The version of the 2016 Red Terrors is actually a little different than the 2015 version. The 2015 Terrors hung their hat on defense and that is how they won most of their games. The 2016 version is still armed with a really good defense but also has the ability to score with anyone in the state if necessary.
So, are the Glynn Academy Red Terrors good enough to get back to the State Title game in the Georgia Dome? Not only are they good enough to get back, but they should be considered the favorite to win it.
Buckle in Red Terror fans, it is going to be a fun ride.
