Rich Bontrager
Frederica Academy Knights Coachs Show With Brandon Derrick October 17
Frederica Academy Knights Trot To Win
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the second consecutive week the Frederica Knights enjoyed “running clock” the entire second half of their game and claimed a 48-2 victory of Westfield School.
With the atmosphere extra charged up for Homecoming ceremonies, the Frederica Knights Football squad came extra prepared to make sure the crowd enjoyed a complete celebration.
Frederica would once again receive the coin flip and elect to start on defense.
Westfield’s first possession only lasted four plays before he had to punt to the Knights.
Frederica would respond by scoring the first of 2 first-quarter touchdowns. First running back, Denver Anthony, scored from 22 yards out and a few moments later, Jaylin Simpson (QB) to Josh Meadows (WR) 24-yard pass reception.
William Brock made both of his point-after kicks making it 14-0 after one-quarter of play.
The Knight’s defense would effectively shut down the Hornets offense all night long, while Frederica’s offense worked at sizzling pace and scored almost at will.
By the end of the first half, Frederica controlled all aspects of the game and found themselves up 41-3.
One exciting play was when Jaylin Simpson stepped forward and intercepted Christin Corbett’s pass attempt. Simpson would run it back 56 yards for yet another Frederica touchdown.
In the first half, Simpson connected on a 55-yard TD pass to senior receiver, Jashawn Sheffield.
Coach Brandon Derrick not only celebrated his team’s 5th consecutive win, but he also stood by as his daughter was crowned homecoming Queen for 2018.
“In all, this was a great night for everyone,” Coach Derrick stated after the game.
With a running clock the entire second half, Frederica was once again able to rest many of their starters and allow many underclassmen to gain more real game time experience.
The ability to groom the younger players at this stage of the season only adds to the strength and depth of an already powerhouse Knights team, as the Knights advanced to 5-2 in the season, only three regular season games remain.
Fans and coaches are beginning to look ahead to the much anticipated final game against Bulloch Academy. The Gators suffered their first loss of the season, 29-15, to John Milledge Academy.
The table is being set for an exciting finish to the season, as the March to Mercer heats up.
Next week, the Knights remain at home and welcome, Trinity Christian to the island.
Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. on the Frederica Academy Campus
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show with Brandon Derrick October 3
Frederica Blast Patriots
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Frederica Academy Knights kicked off the second half of the season with a bang as they entered region play.
Friday night the Knights traveled to Bellville, GA to play the Pinewood Christian Patriots.
For the first time all season, the Knights would receive the opening kickoff and start on offense.
Jaylin Simpson (Sr) would start at QB for the first time since his injury in the second game of the season.
Denver Anthony (QB) reportedly had a minor injury to his throwing arm and was used primarily as a running back and receiver throughout the game.
With the Knights coming off a bye week, the team was back at full strength with several other injured players back in the line up as well.
Frederica’s offense would go “no-huddle” and uptempo most of the night and frustrated Pinewood to no end.
The Knights would score twice in the first quarter, three times in the second and lead 32-0 at halftime.
Scoring highlights in the first-half included an impressive 33-yard rushing touchdown by Isaiah Jackson (RB), and Denver Anthony running in both a 7 yard and 22 yard TD.
“I think our offense really ran things well most of the night,” said Coach Brandon Derrick. “I was very pleased that we kept our pace all night.”
By half-time, the Patriots had only gained close to 50-yards in total offense, as the Knights defense swarmed to the ball and made it tough for Mic Wasson (Fr, QB) to have any time to set up well in the pocket and throw the ball.
It was a rough Homecoming game for the Patriot fans to watch as the offense fumbled the ball, threw an interception and had no offense until the second half.
The second half was on a running clock and saw many line up changes for the Frederica Knights.
JT Elliot and Thomas Veal both saw action at QB before Simpson was put back in to seal the victory.
With the change in lineup, the Knights defense gave up two TD’s to Pinewood and to two 2-point conversions to avoid a shutout.
The Knights would tack on one more score when Avery Cobb rushed down the near side of the field and scored on a 52-yard rushing play.
The score was made possible by a big surge of the Knight’s offensive line. A line produced big holes and great passing protection all night long.
“The kids played extremely well, and yet we gave two scores that cost us the shutout,” commented Coach Derrick. “Right now, it’s just the small details that we need to focus in on and tighten up on. But overall we are looking great for a big finish.”
The Knights now stand at 4-2 after getting the 39-16 win and spoiling another team’s Homecoming celebration.
Next week, Frederica will celebrate their Homecoming and host Westfield School on Saint Simons Island.
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show w Brandon Derrick September 26
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show w Brandon Derrick September 19
Knights Continue To Trot
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the third consecutive week the Frederica Knights dominated their opponent, this time August Prep and came away with an easy win of 44-13.
The lop-sided victory began as the Knights defense forced the Cavaliers to punt after their opening drive stalled out.
Four plays later, Coach Brandon Derrick’s offensive would score on a Denver Anthony (QB) pass to Sophomore receiver Jaiden Rose-Scally. With 9:18 remaining in the first quarter, and the extra point was good Frederica was up 7-0.
Moments later, the Knights would force a turn over and the score on the very next play. The score highlighted the speed and agility of Jashawn Sheffield (Sr) as he rushed for 18 yards and helped his team to an early 14-0 advantage.
By half-time Frederica was controlling all aspects of the game and leading August Prep Day 41-7.
The Knights Special teams contributed to the victory in a big way as Junior Kicker William Brock connected on all but one of his point after kicks.
Plus, Isaiah Jackson would return yet another kick off for 75 yards.
Throughout the game, Augusta Day Prep struggled to make clean snaps between Quarterback and center, which caused several broken plays with sloppy hand offs and the inability to get any offensive flow to the game.
The Knights defense keyed off of these mistakes and would sack Justin Meddings three times and force an interception.
The second half was all running clock to help move the game along and not have the Cavaliers’ homecoming events totally ruined.
With start of the third quarter, Freshman QB Thomas Veal (Fr.) would lead the offensive squad. Such lengthy play time for younger players in real ball games is only strengthening the depth chart of a team that is showing great potential of being crowned state champion.
The Knights final score would come with 9:08 left to go in the third quarter. Frederica would have to settle for only 3 points as William Brock would kick a 35-yard field to seal the victory.
With the victory, Frederica improves to 3-2, while Augusta Prep Day continues to look for their first win of 2018.
The Knights will have the coming week off and then will return to action on Friday, Sept. 28th. The off week will allow for several players to get healed up and return to the line to help their teammates battle powerhouse Pinewood Christian Academy.
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show with Brandon Derrick September 12
Jousting Match
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the second straight week the Frederica Knights would score more than 60 points and control all sides of the ball as they defeated Bethlehem Christian 60-21.
Seven different Frederica players would score, including 3 more touchdowns for senior running back Isaiah Jackson. All three of his TD’s would be in the first quarter of play and help make it 27-0 at the end of that quarter. By half-time the GISA offensive player of the past week would have over 150 yards rushing.
Other teammates that contributed to the lopsided win included Jashawn Sheffield (two TD’s), QB Denver Anthony, (two TD’s), Harry Veal, JT Elliot, and freshman QB Thomas Veal late in the fourth quarter.
At half-time the Frederica Knights lead 41-7 and limited the Knights of Bethlehem Christian with less than 50 yards of offense and one score off of a 55-yard bomb.
The defense set the tone of the game when Josh Meadows (So.) intercepted Jacob Adams’ pass down field and help set up Frederica to get the second score of the game with 5:35 left in the first quarter.
With such a lopsided victory for Frederica, you must give credit to the coaching staff and head coach Brandon Derek.
Despite having several key players still out due to injury, the coaching staff has figured out how to assemble a winning team. The play calling in this game was made up of a never-ending rotation of players and plays.
This coaching scheme kept the Knights of Bethlehem guessing who might actually get the ball. Every series in the first half was a totally different package of players on offense.
Frederica takes their 2-2 record and will make their longest road trip of the season next week as the travel to face Augusta Prep.
Preseason predictors have said Frederica could win by 30 points or more. Will the Knights advance to 3-2 and break 60 points for the third straight week before getting a much-needed break?
To Coach Brandon Derek, that would be the ideal situation for his team that has battled extremely hard and suffered tough injuries the first two games.
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show with Brandon Derrick September 5
