Georgia Sports Edition
Pirates Sunk By Bartram Trail
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Brunswick traveled into North Florida and ran into a buzz saw named Bartram Trail. The Pirates were blown out 35-12.
The Pirate offense put up some nice yardage but turned the ball over in the red zone too many times in the first that killed any momentum the unit developed.
The Pirate defense struggled all night to stop the Bears offense and gave up too many big plays on the evening. Brunswick High needs to find some answers on this side of the ball moving forward as the Pirates gear up for region play in October.
Pirate Report Card
Defense: D. Brunswick gave up a 95-yard drive after the offense fumbled in the red zone on the first possession.
Then they turned around and gave up a two play TD drive on the second possession to get down quickly, 14-0.
If not for Bartram committing penalties this game could have been 28-0 at the half.
Too many missed tackles, talented defensive backs getting toasted in passing situations, defensive line got manhandled all night, run defense needs to improve before region play.
Down 14-0 at the half and needing a stop the defense gave up an opening drive TD to go down 21-0. A scoop and score for a 63-yard TD kept this grade from being an F.
Major improvement is needed, but the positive is the unit is in position to make plays and they will as more game experience is gained.
Offense: D. Pirate rushing offense looked good all night. Jaylen Trimmings and freshman Chucolbe Hill looked good running the football.
Coach Pender stressed all week that he wanted his offensive line to take over football games this fall, as they are a team strength but in passing situations last night the OL gave up 8 sacks and gave up sacks on 3 straight plays late in the first half on a key drive.
The Pirates struggled all night in the red zone, coming away with 0 points on three trips, two turnovers and giving the football up on downs.
KJ Lee will continue to improve with game experience and Marlon Carmena is the most dynamic playmaker on offense and needs the ball in his hands more.
Seven turnovers in two football games will get better as the group gets valuable game experience under its belt.
Special Teams: C. A bad extra point snap and two huge penalties hurt and this area needs improvement, but the unit improved from the Coffee game. Mitchell Richburg punted well last night.
Coaching: C. Great game plan on offense, but execution let Brunswick down with turnovers and sacks. On defense Brunswick was in position most of the night but just did not execute.
Overall: C-. The night was full of sacks, turnovers, missed tackles. Bartram Trail was there for the taking if this team just had just executed the game plan. The team will improve by region time.
This Pirate team needs better play from some talented players in the secondary, more intensity from the offensive line and another receiver step up and join Marlon Carmena as a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball.
Also, Brunswick needs more passion from a defensive unit overall. The defensive coaches may need to shake things up on that side of the ball to wake a couple talented players up.
Next up: MCA next Friday in Darien
Terrors Bedevil Washington
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Glynn Academy Red Terrors hosted the Washington High Bulldogs Friday night between the bricks at Glynn County Stadium.
Washington High came in 0-1, losing to rival Douglass 22-12 in their opener.
The Terrors were coming off a loss to powerhouse Fort Dorchester in the opening week of the season.
Washington High jumped out to an early 6-0 lead. The Bulldogs took over on downs after a Glynn fake punt failed and the Bulldogs cashed the turnover in for six points. Washington High missed the PAT.
However, it did not take long for the Red Terrors to take control of the game after that. Glynn led 14-6 after the first quarter and 28-6 at the half.
The Red Terrors added a touchdown in the third to go up 35-6.
Midway through the 4th quarter the Terrors added another score on the ground to go up 42-6.
That 42-6 score would hold as the final. Glynn would score 42 unanswered points to close out the Washington High Bulldogs.
The Terrors rushing attack dominated the game. Glynn’s QB TJ Lewis looked great on the ground and completed several passes, leaving the Bulldog defense befuddled on how to stop the Terrors’ offense.
Glynn had five different players score touchdowns. Quantavious Bostic scored 2 touchdowns, TJ Lewis rushed for a TD, Nolan Grant pitched in a score for Glynn, Caden Hutchinson put a TD on the board and Alan Partin also found pay dirt for the Red Terrors.
Defensive End Marlon Taylor was a monster on defense for the Red Terrors and looked almost unblockable.
The young Red Terrors showed some improvement from last week but still has some room to get better in the big picture.
With the win, the Red Terrors improve to 1-1 on the season. Glynn Academy will host Groves next week between the bricks at Glynn County Stadium before getting a week off and then heading into a tough three game non-region stretch against Wayne, Ware and Camden. All of those games on the road.
Washington High falls to 0-2 on the season.
The game against Groves next week will be the Red Terrors’ Homecoming.
Blue Devils Survive
By: Josh Aubrey
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Anyone that had been to a Statesboro game over the past four years was probably thinking the same thing late in Friday’s season opener against Greenbrier, here we go again.
But unlike the past four years, The Blue Devils were able to make a big play at the end of the game, winning by a score of 7-3.
The Statesboro offense was unable to pick up a first down with just over two minutes left in the game, leading 7-3. Greenbrier ran a sweep on the first play from scrimmage and it went for 20 yards to the Wolfpack 40-yard line.
With 1:27 left in the game Xavier Lee picked off a Jackson Fulmer pass at the Statesboro 45 and returned it 8 yards. Greenbrier was out of timeouts and Statesboro was able to run out the clock for their first season opening victory since 2013.
“I can’t lie, it crossed my mind they ‘here we go again’,” said Statesboro head coach Jeff Kaiser. “But I’m very proud of our kids for showing some resilience, and making a big play when they had to. We had Xavier in a good spot and he made the interception to seal the deal.”
The story of the game was the Statesboro defense who allowed the Wolfpack only 104 total yards and 7 first downs, while coming up with a crucial 4 turnovers.
“Two players who really made a difference tonight for us were Ames Rackleff and Michael Dixon.” Kaiser said. “Ames is just a tenth grader, but he plays hard at everything he does, baseball, football or life. He is going to give you all he has. Michael is the same way, and they both stepped up tonight.”
In the second quarter the offense was finally able to take advantage of a Blue Devil turnover. Ames Rackleff picked off a Fulmer pass at the 37-yard line with 2:21 seconds left in the second quarter.
The offense was able to march downfield but had to convert on a fourth and six in order to keep the drive alive. Jaylen Robinson took the ball off the left side and pounded ahead for 8 of his 101 yards rushing to the Greenbrier nine-yard line.
On the very next play from scrimmage with 1:15 left quarterback Drake Horton walked into the end zone untouched, the extra point by Cody Parker was good and Statesboro took a 7-0 halftime lead.
“That touchdown before the half was huge,” Kaiser said. “When you win the battle of the turnovers by two like we did you should win the game and that touchdown came as a direct result of a forced turnover.”
Statesboro took a 7-0 lead into the fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth, Statesboro coughed the ball up again and Greenbrier recovered on the Statesboro 35-yard line. Fulmer then hit Jaden Smith for an 18 pick up to the Statesboro 18-yard line.
The Blue Devil defense was able to hold from there and Greenbrier had to settle for a 29-yard Ben Thorpe field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 with 6:08 left in the game.
Lee was able to secure with the win with the Blue Devils third interception of the game and the celebration began with the players mobbing Lee on the sidelines.
“I’m proud of these kids for learning from the past and being able to make plays when they had to,” Kaiser said. We are going to celebrate this tonight, but tomorrow it’s time to get ready for a good Liberty County team.”
Next up for Statesboro, they will host Liberty County Friday at Womack Field.
Eagles To Soar?
By: Mike Anthony
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
College Football season is here and the Georgia Southern Eagles are hoping that they will take the field fully healed.
The Eagles were relatively healthy on the injury report throughout 2017, but a final record of 2-10 – the worst in program history – left some lasting blows to the pride of both players and fans alike.
But hope springs eternal and, with Chad Lunsford ready to begin his first full season as head coach, the Eagles certainly give off the impression of a team ready to make a huge leap forward this season.
The main culprit in the Eagles’ consecutive losing seasons has been the disappearance of what had always been a dominant rushing attack. Georgia Southern led the nation in rushing in each of its first two seasons as an FBS member as its option attack routinely left defenses chasing skill players through open space.
The 2016 season brought about new head coach Tyson Summers and new co-offensive coordinators that saw the rushing attack start to spin its wheels despite a senior-laden depth chart.
And last year saw it all fall apart as another new coordinator (Bryan Cook) was ineffective with an offense that was breaking in a freshman quarterback and an inexperienced offensive line.
Georgia Southern now has its’ fourth OC in as many seasons, but there is reason to think that things aren’t looking up. Bob DeBesse now takes the reins of the offense after spending the last five years turning New Mexico into a rushing juggernaut.
The Eagles also have the gift of experience on both sides of the ball. Last year, there were only eight seniors on the roster, making them the youngest team in the nation. This fall, 19 starters return and – while their performance on the field needs to improve – there is plenty to be said for having a veteran starter at nearly every position.
Youth is still key however, as the Eagles pulled in one of the top-rated recruiting classes in the Sun Belt this spring and aren’t afraid to give their freshmen a chance immediately.
Helping out with that strategy is the new NCAA rule that permits players to be redshirted even with up to four games of action.
During a preseason booster event, Lunsford stated that some guys would see action immediately and would be reevaluated after four games. Other freshmen might be kept on the sidelines until the last month for more development and then given an audition in the last month.
Singled out among the true freshmen by Lunsford were C.J. Wright – a 285-pounder who could be the perfect fit as a nose guard in the Eagles’ new 3-4 defense.
Also mentioned was Davarious Bagnare, a receiver in high school who is now a slot back in an offense that needs the position to run, catch and block equally well.
The first two games will be vital for any hope of a big bounceback season.
An opener against South Carolina State should provide a quick win before Massachusetts – who beat the Eagles 55-20 last season in Summers’ final game before his midseason firing – comes to town.
If the Eagles can notch out a pair of early wins, they will be riding high. The Sun Belt projects to have three frontrunners in Arkansas State, Appalachian State and Troy, but the rest of the league is wide open.
If the Eagles’ offense can return to even a reasonable image of their former selves, there’s a decent chance that Georgia Southern could still be in the hunt for a bowl game in the final weeks of the regular season.
Rolling Tide
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Alabama has been a college football powerhouse since the 1920’s. They returned back to the top program in the nation when they hired Nick Saban in 2007. He has won 5 national championships since taking over in Tuscaloosa, including last year.
The topic all off-season has been the quarterback controversy. Everyone is aware Jalen Hurts has been the quarterback the last two seasons. He led the Crimson Tide to the national title game in both years. He played poorly against Georgia and he was replaced by freshman Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa led the comeback and threw the game winning touchdown.
He is the starter but it seems like Saban doesn’t want to lose Hurts by making that announcement. This could be a distraction throughout the season.
Hurts has already spoken to the media and said nobody including coaches talked to him at all about his playing situation.
I’m going to assume Tagovailoa is the QB for the entire season. He can add an element that Bama has lacked in the Saban era, a big-time quarterback. They typically rely on a strong running game and defense and they have average quarterbacks. It will be interesting to see how the offense will look with someone that has NFL first round talent.
Senior running back Damien Harris will get the bulk of the carries. He rushed for 1,000 yards the past two seasons. Left tackle Jonah Williams is also a great lineman so he will help open holes and protect the passer.
Linebackers Mack Wilson, Dylan Moses, defensive ends Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs, will lead the defense. I expect the defense to be good again but the secondary will be the weakest unit.
The season begins on September 1st in Orlando against Louisville. Lamar Jackson left for the NFL so the Cardinals will have a new quarterback. Bama will win the game by 30 plus points.
The first home game of the season is Week 2 versus Arkansas State. The Red Wolves are overmatched and will get destroyed.
The Crimson Tide travel to Oxford, MS to take on Ole Miss next. The Rebels got spanked 66-3 last year. I expect another big loss for Ole Miss but not nearly that bad.
Texas A&M will be the next opponent. The Aggies have only beaten Alabama once since joining the SEC and that was during their first year in 2012. Jimbo Fisher is now the head coach at A&M. This is a 20-point win for Bama.
Louisiana-Lafayette comes to town to end September. This will be another game to pad stats and correct mistakes.
The next three games are at Arkansas, Mizzou and at Tennessee. Arkansas and Tennessee have new head coaches. These will all be easy double-digit wins for the Tide.
After a bye week, the first real test is November 3rd at LSU. I call this a test because the Tigers also recruit well and have great athletes.
The big difference is they are coached by Ed Orgeron and they can never develop a competent quarterback.
Miss State comes to Tuscaloosa and this will be a tough game. The Bulldogs have lost former head coach Dan Mullen so I give the edge to Alabama.
The Citadel is the tune up game before the season finale. The goal is stay healthy during this 50-point win.
Finally, they get a chance to avenge the loss to Auburn last season November 24th. Their stud running back Kerryon Johnson has departed for the NFL. This will also be a tough game.
Alabama should finish undefeated or 11-1 at worst.
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.
