By: Jason Bishop

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The Brunswick High Pirates had their 2025 season end at the hands of the Gainesville Red Elephants in the second round of the GHSA playoffs.

Last season ended in controversy as the Pirates and Red Elephants had the game called early due to a benches clearing brawl that made national headlines.

Despite the controversy BHS enters the 2026 season coming off of a 9-3 season and a region title.

They also come into 2026 as a team in transition. Gone are record-setting QB Grant Moore and 4-star TE Heze Kent; 2 vital cogs in the Pirates prolific offense from last year that bludgeoned defenses all season long.

Also gone is former Head Coach Garrett Grady who is now coaching in Douglas with the Coffee County Trojans.

Enter Dr. Byron Slack to take over as the Pirates head man. Slack spent several years on the Camden County staff during the championship years and comes over from Cook County after spending 4 seasons as Head Coach with the Hornets.

Slack will make an emphasis on team discipline and bring out the best in the Pirates on defense; an area that has been inconsistent for the Pirates for over a decade.

Despite losing key cogs on offense BHS does return some key playmakers on offense. Most notably running backs Nigel Gardner, Josiah Gibbons and WR Waseem Murray.

Both Gardner and Gibbons rushed for over 1,000 yards and combined for almost 30 touchdowns last season.

Murray was the Pirates best playmaker in open space and was dangerous every time he got the ball in his hands. Murray had 700 all-purpose yards and 5 touchdowns.

At QB the Pirates will either have senior Keegan Walker or junior Eli Overton under center.

BHS will move up from 5A to 6A and play in Region 1-6A with Glynn Academy, Effingham, South Effingham, Bradwell Institute, Grovetown, Greenbriar and Lakeside.

Brunswick will kick off the season on August 21^st against Camden ‘Between The Bricks’ at Glynn County Stadium.

The Pirates will take to the road the week after that to take on Groves. BHS gets a bye the following week and then return home in week 4 to take on national power Grayson at Glynn County Stadium.

Region play starts for the Pirates on September 18^th against Grovetown up in Augusta.

BHS then hosts Greenbriar and then travels to Hinesville to square off with Bradwell on October 2^nd.

Brunswick High will then take a bye to get ready for the City Championship game against the Glynn Academy Red Terrors on October 16. This game will go a long way in determining who will win the region.

Technically the Pirates will be the home team against Terrors and will be the first of three consecutive home games; the other two will be against South Effingham and Effingham.

Brunswick will close the regular season against Lakeside on the road in Augusta.

I am predicting the Pirates will be serious contenders to win the region. In my opinion who ever wins the City Championship Game will also hoist the region championship trophy at season’s end.