Rich Bontrager
Knights Back On Horse
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 0-2 Frederica Knights Football team took to the road for the first time this season to face 0-1 the Lanier County Bulldogs. This was the third non-region game for the Knights and the first time these two teams have ever met.
The Knights came into the matchup short-handed as starting Quarterback Jaylin Simpson, wide receiver Jashawn Sheffield, cornerback Avery Cobb, and several others were out after last week’s intense loss to Valwood. The Knights would have to rely on their underclass and a few key players to carry the load.
The field was wet due to a brief rain shower prior to the start of the game. Regardless of the challenges, the Knights scored nine unanswered points in the first quarter, a field goal plus a 4O yard TD run by senior running back Isaiah Jackson.
During the second quarter, the scoring improved by both teams. The Bulldogs would go deep and score off of Brockington’s (QB) throw to Sirman (WR). The extra point was no good and Frederica maintained a 9-6 advantage. Moments later, Isaiah would score his second of four touchdowns as he returned yet another kickoff, running 80-yards up the middle.
Jackson would gain over 220 yards rushing off of more than 20 carries in the game. At halftime, starting QB Denver Anthony snuck into the end zone on a 1-yard sneak.
The Lanier Bulldogs got back into the game after their defense recovered a Knight’s fumble.
Their offense scored, making it 21-12. The Bulldogs then added another 2-yard TD pass
making it a 21-18 game late in the third quarter.
Jackson helped put the Knights back on top with his third TD run. This time Brock kicked the extra point and the Knights were up 28-18.
The heat, humidity and tough plays by Frederica’s defense began to affect the Bulldogs as they abandoned their running game and threw pass after pass. The Bulldogs had to make that adjustment after Patrick Brunson (Sr) ran back a 55-yard punt making it 34-18. The extra point was good and the Knights expanded their lead to 35-18 at the end of the third quarter.
Lanier County would score again in the 4th quarter. However, Isaiah Jackson responded with another TD run.
Junior transfer, Denver Anthony (5’8, 180 Ibs), had an excellent start for a second week in a row as the QB to lead Frederica. The Bulldog fans saw hope as they scored again on a long 55-yard pass from Brockington to Baker.
The Knights added two more rushing touchdowns by Harry Veal (10 and 8 yards). The Knights scored one more time in the fourth quarter to seal the victory as Kyle Perez (So., RB) ran for a 30-yard touchdown, making the final score 60-40.
Perez’s scores highlighted how coach Brandon Derrick, of Frederica, used every player
possible at just the right moment to secure the win. This strategy was evidenced, as well, by
the extra point kicked through the uprights by young Logan Bower, #99.
Lanier County falls to 0-2, while the Knight now stand at 1-2.
Next week the Knights are back at home to face Bethlehem Christian Academy. These two teams have not met since the first round of the 2016 season. The game will begin at 7:30
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show with Brandon Derrick August 29
Knights Un-horsed By Valwood
By: Rich Bontrager
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Friday night, on Saint Simons Island, fans were treated to an almost perfect rematch of last year’s playoff season-ending loss to Valwood.
Not only was it scoreless at half-time like last year, but it was scoreless through regulation.
The game began with high emotion and back-to-back turnovers. First, Jaylin Simpson of the Knights intercepted Valwood’s Quarterback, Caleb Burns. The very next play, Frederica’s QB
Denver Anthony lost the ball as Valwood stripped it from his hands.
The rest of the game became a war in the trenches of the front lines. While both teams
struggled to find any offensive rhythm, both defenses played extremely well.
Cameron Gardner (Sr., 6’1, 210) of Frederica made his presence known on several occasions, including a goal line stand that forced the Valiants to turn the ball over on downs.
Head Coach Brandon Derrick praised his team for playing, “a hard-fought game.”
Throughout the game, the Knight’s offensive line struggled to keep Valwood from breaking
through and getting into the backfield. With the Valiants breaking the line regularly, Frederica
found it hard to get any consistent passing or rushing game going.
At half-time, the Knights had only managed one first down.
The second half started with Frederica receiving the opening kickoff and putting together a solid series of plays until QB Jaylin Simpson took a hard sideline hit and an injury forced his removal from the game. Injuries mounted for the Knights all evening and forced the team to adjust to mostly a running attack.
With the game tied at 0-0, late into the fourth quarter, Frederica’s Head Coach called for a long pass toward the end zone and it appeared to have been caught but was waved off by the
referees at the two-yard line.
Penalties filled much of the second half, which caused setbacks
to both team’s momentum.
The high emotion of calls affected several of Frederica’s players and resulted in two penalties that cost them 30 yards and another stalled out drive.
In overtime, Valwood received the ball first and scored with starting QB Caleb Burns
connecting with Willie Robertson for a touchdown. The extra point counted making it 0-7.
The Knights finally scored on Isaiah Jackson’s 16-yard run, making the score 6-7.
Head Coach, Brandon Derrick, chose to go for the win and attempt a two-point conversion rather than kick the extra point and be tied once again. Valwood’s defense stopped the attempt and gave Frederica another difficult loss.
Not only did the Knights suffer their second loss of this early season, but the team also has injuries to assess and heal before going on the road to face Bethlehem Christian Academy next Friday night.
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show With Brandon Derrick August 22
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.
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show with Brandon Derrick
Frederica Academy Knights Coach’s Show August 8
The Knights’ Quest
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.
Frederica Show October 26
Frederica Show October 19
