We tell you everything you need to know about the 2024 Deerfield-Windsor School football team in this preview, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Knights this season.
2023 Stats
- Overall Record: 1-9
- Points Scored: 196
- Points Allowed: 338
Key Losses
Deerfield-Windsor will miss offensive lineman David Mullins, who was involved in a fatal car accident in May. His loss as a great player is coupled with the loss of a great young man. Our condolences go out to his family and teammates.
Two defensive players who had productive careers will not be returning. They are defensive end Jackson Deriso and linebacker John Allen Rigsby. Deriso had 42 tackles with a couple of sacks over the past two seasons, and Rigsby totaled 197 tackles in the 2022 and 2023 seasons combined.
The Knights will miss kicker and punter Waylon Marbury, who finished his career with a 35.5 punting average while connecting on 46-of-51 PATs. He was successful on 5-of-10 field goal attempts over the past two years, with his longest attempt from 48 yards.
Who’s Back
Returning this season to lead the offense is quarterback Lane Sceals. The junior is coming off a great 2023 season that saw him throw for 1,523 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He has a top receiving target returning in senior wideout Jake Hatcher.
Running back Cole Jones returns to give the Knights a two-way weapon. On offense last year he ran for 600 yards on 127 carries with seven touchdowns, while catching 16 passes for 151 yards and a TD. As a linebacker on defense, Jones has 112 tackles over the past two seasons.
Another double-threat returning is senior linebacker and running back Liam Elliott. Over the past two seasons, he made 39 tackles with three sacks and rushed for 426 yards with four TDs.
Burns Holton returns at tight end and linebacker, where he made 57 tackles last year.
Linemen Hudson Abel and Crawford Newman will be back.
What to Expect
Deerfield-Windsor was very young in 2023. They took their lumps with so much inexperience, but head coach Josh McRae said the 2024 squad should be better because of it.
“We are going to be a year older and a year more mature this season,” McRae said. “We are going to have large junior and sophomore classes this year and a small senior class with key leaders in it. The coaching staff is really excited about this team, and our hope is that we can improve on a 1-9 season last year.”
Prediction
6-4 overall record
Game to Watch
Oct. 18 versus Valwood
