About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 22, 2019)
Page 10, July 22, 2019, The Islander Area squads gearing up for new football season By Dave Jordan Less than five weeks from their 2019 season openers, k high school coaches and players gath ered Saturday at Glynn County Stadi um to shed some light on their football teams and their upcoming campaigns. Among the nearly two dozen area schools in attendance at a media day hosted by 912Sports.net and Coastal Pines Technical College were Bruns wick High, Glynn Academy and Fred erica Academy, who helped christen the sparkling new athletic department facility at the stadium amid a score of reporters, parents and supporters. “We’re going to work hard, rely on our strengths and cover up our weak nesses as best we can,” said Fred erica head coach Brandon Derrick of his Knights, the reigning Class AAA state champions in the Georgia Inde pendent School Association’s highest classification. Gone from last year’s state cham pionship team at Frederica are 13 se niors, including four NCAA Division 1 signees. Derrick said his current ros ter boasts 31 players, with just seven of those in their final seasons at the St. Simons Island school. “Our biggest strength is, our kids understand what we’re trying to do,” said Derrick, who enters his seventh season at Frederica with a 42-25 over all mark. “The cohesion is there, and that’s a big thing for us. ‘We’ve got a good group of guys right now. We’re not going to be as tal ented as we were last year, but where we’re lacking in talent, we’re going to make up for with heart and effort. I’ve seen that already in our guys. The team concept is there: our guys have really bought into the team thing.” This year’s Knights will have a new field general, said Derrick, with a sea soned veteran waiting in the wings. “I’m going to probably start a fresh man at quarterback, Tyler Devlin. He’s had a really good summer and understands what we’re trying to do. We’ll use Denver Anthony there in some sets, but Tyler is the guy. He’s smart enough to figure out what to do, and our offensive line is super smart. We’ll be balanced with the run and pass. “My biggest concern is depth and quality depth. We need guys to play two different positions on both sides, so they have to learn four positions and be very good at it. Last year, we had 12 or 13 sophomores who could go in and help and now they’re all juniors so they’re starters, so the people be hind those guys we have to find.” The 2018 Knights opened with back-to-back losses before righting the JamesTown Kiano Private and Adult Group, Piano Lessons fllj Sh m I I II l ILUIP' iL JLJ B-A J H M Featuring Yamaha * Tuning St Repair IK jjj'j p!| |^| '! jfy| • New/used pianos * Rebuilding r:>,a "'M. Eft IB . Digital Pianos * Rentals 3674 Community Road, Brunswick • 912-265-5055 • www.jamestownpiano.com are invited to our 4tPi Annual ffiprket gafe guty 29 through August 2 Statewide discounts 10-50% CUNNINGHAM JEWELERS 1510 Newcastle St. Brunswick • (912) 265-8652 ship to win their next six in a row. A late-season home loss to Region 2-AAA rival John Milledge Academy was fol lowed up by a win at traditional rival Bulloch Academy to close out the reg ular season and secure a region title, then three straight blowout victories in the postseason - capped by 48-0 thrashing of that same JMA team in the state championship game. “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” Derrick said. Frederica opens its 2019 season on Aug. 23 at Charlton County. Brunswick High, meanwhile, will be looking to rebound from a disap pointing 2018 season, and the pieces are there to do it, said BHS assistant head coach Garrett Grady, who pinch- hit Saturday for Pirates head coach Sean Pender who was away on a fam ily vacation. “Our offensive line play up front and, defensively, our secondary - they have the most experience and return ers, and I think those are strengths,” Grady said. “Everyone looks for our of fensive line to lead, and they look at our secondary, guys who have a lot of experience at the back end.” He said the man who will run Pend er’s patented spread attack has yet to be determined. “We’ll have competition at quarter back with Anthony Mountain, Jeffery Waye and K.J. Lee - all three are in competition for it,” Grady said. The Pirates struggled to a 3-7 mark last season, after making the state playoffs in 2017 as a No. 2 seed from Region 3-6A in Pender’s first year at the helm. They return seven offensive start ers and five starters on defense, said Grady. “We’re still a young team, but a lot of our guys have experience because they played either as a freshman or a sophomore. “Staying healthy is going to be something we have to do, and we have to execute our plays.” Brunswick hosts Coffee in its sea son opener on Aug. 23 at Glynn Coun ty Stadium. Don’t expect any big changes in his team, said Glynn Academy head coach Rocky Hidalgo, who will utilize returning starter T.J Lewis at quar terback. The same formula that has worked before for his Red Terrors will be employed yet again, he said. “I think we’ll be a typical Glynn Academy football team. We’re going to be really good on defense - a great, hard-nosed defense. It’s tough to lose if the other team doesn’t score. “Offensively, we are going to run the ball. I know it’s sexy to throw the ball 50 times, but I’m not built that way. We want to run the football, be physical up front, and take our shots where we can in the passing game.” Hidalgo led his team to a third consecutive outright region title in 2018 and is 49-17 at Glynn with five straight postseason appearances. “We’ve had five really good years and have been fortunate to be a part of four region championships, and our expectations are always the same,” Turn to Page 11 Dave Jordan There will be cold readings of the play for all character parts. Please prepare a musical piece that is in your range and that you feel comfortable with. Songs do not have to be from tne show, but we're looking for upbeat music. Bring a copy of the sheet music of your selected song choice for the accompanist - no a capella please. A CD player will be available to those using instrumental accompaniment for their songs. Wear comfortable clothing that will permit freedom of movement for simple choreography. Directed by Jackie Santoro and Pam Taylor. Music Director: Faith Hamilton-Trent. Casino Theatre 530 Beachview Dr., St. Simons Island www.theislandplayers.com • 912-638-0338
