By: Rich Bontrager

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

For Frederica Football the 2017 was a season of injuries, adjusted lineups, severe weather and a heart-breaking loss to end an amazing season.

While the Knights’ season may have come to a tough end in a come-behind victory by Valwood in the third round of the GISA-AAA playoffs, it was a season of vast growth which brings them into 2018 with extremely high expectations.

Last year started with big adjustments as starting QB Gavin William received an injury that cost him the entire season. While star receiver JaShawn Sheffield was limited for much of the season with an injury, the team and coaches rallied around Junior QB Jaylin Simpson and formed a slightly different offensive scheme. This scheme emerged as a very mobile and exciting one.

While the offense had to adjust early on, the defense seemed to only gain speed and strength behind a then junior squad that featured emerging stars such as Harry Veal, JT Elliot, Isaiah Jackson, and Cameron Gardner. This Defense often made great plays that helped set the offense up for easy scores.

This season sees the return of many of last year’s junior class now playing as seniors and veteran leaders, headed by Simpson and Sheffield, who have both committed to Auburn Football in 2019.

With an experienced senior class all back on the field the Knights are heavily favored to make another strong march to Mercer for a State Championship. However, this run will not be easy.

The Knights will open the 2018 Campaign at home in a non-GISA game vs Charlton County Indians, from Folkston, GA., on Friday, August 17th at Frederica under the oaks. The Indian’s are in the A Region 2 and in 2018 posted a 9-3 record.

Then on Friday, August 28th, the GISA 2017 State Champions, Valwood returns to SSI. This game is a rematch of last season’s heart-breaking GISA Playoff game. It was an intense defensive battle with all scoring taking place in the second half. Expect nothing less in the early season key matchup.

The third week has the Knights hitting the road for the first time and traveling to play Lanier County in Lakeland, GA on Friday, August 31.

September starts with Frederica hosting Bethlehem Christian Academy. In 2016 the Knights defeated them in the first round of the playoffs 52-21. In that game QB Gavin Williams was 8 of 11 with 2 touchdown passes and 197 yards.

Friday, Sept 14th Augusta Prep Day will welcome the Knights to their home turf. This game is highlighted as Augusta’s toughest potential match up in 2018 with Frederica favored by over 30 points.

Friday Sept 21 is an open date and may be much needed as the following week will be “Rivalry Game” against Pinewood Christian in Bellville, GA.

In 2017 the Knights won this same game 30-17! It was a balanced attack as JaShawn Sheffield caught 2 TD passes, Jaylin Simpson ran for 2 touchdowns and Junior Running Back Isaiah Jackson rushed for 102 all-purpose yards.

Week 7, Oct 5th will see the Knights back under the oaks hosting Westfield School. While the Hornets posted a 2-9 season in 2017, this is the kind of opponent that Frederica does not want to potentially play down to.

Friday, Oct. 12 and the second half of the season is on as the Knights stay under the oaks and welcome Trinity Christian to the island. In 2016, The defense played a key factor in this 40-20 victory over the Crusaders, as Frederica claimed 2 interceptions and tacked on 3 sacks.

Oct 19th has the Knights back out on the road as they face Westminster School of Augusta. The Wildcats have a tendency to field a very small number of players. A late season matchup such as this may be timely to help rest the starters and get healed up before the final two games and playoffs.

Friday the, “Drive to Mercer”, heats up as the perennial powerhouse John Milledge Academy Trojan’s come into Frederica. 2016 saw the Trojan’s crowned State Champion and last season marked the sixth straight 10-win season. This is a battle not to missed!

The regular season closes out on Friday, Nov. 2nd with a road trip to Statesboro to once again face Bulloch Academy. The last two seasons Frederica has split this match up in fierce competition. Losing by one in 2016 (7-8) and winning in 2017 (28-21). This year’s game should be nothing less than another nail bitter.

While the Knights have grown to be one of the GISA top contenders, 2018 will cause this veteran team to be extremely challenged.

One missing piece of the puzzle for the Knights is who will fill the kicking shoes of last year’s graduate, John Mitchell Brock?

His foot and aim were a weapon that few High Schools have the luxury to rely on. Such a weapon may be the key to late game victories and a march to Mercer.