We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Frederica Academy football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the team this season.
2021 Stats
- Overall Record: 5-6
- Points Scored: 286
- Points Against: 218
Key Losses
One of Coach Brandon Derrick’s top priorities this offseason is to find a replacement for graduated quarterback Thomas Veal. Veal had 1,524 passing yards with 13 passing TDs during his time as the Knights’ starting signal caller. Bryce Reilly was everywhere on the field during his career, ending up with an impressive line of 96 tackles and three interceptions on defense, and 28 catches for 429 yards and three TDs on offense. Reilly also ran for 245 yards on 60 carries and two rushing TDs.
Jon Phillip Spiers and his defensive production will be missed. He leaves behind 94 tackles, including four sacks, while another graduating Knight, MLB Jacob Aiken, also had a stellar career on the defensive side. Aiken ended up with 148 tackles and five sacks. Frederica will say goodbye to graduating OL/NT Ashton Frankel, who in his lone season at Frederica came up with 22 tackles on defense and rushed for a TD on his only carry for the offense.
Who’s Back
The Knights return a lot of experience from last season’s team, and that has to be exciting for Frederica fans heading into this season. Three-year starter Sam Norris returns to his place on the OL and at DE. His line mate, Vic Riden enters his second season as a starter, and he is an imposing presence for opposing linemen at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds. Both Norris and Riden are seniors.
A trio of juniors return this season, including Jordan Triplett, a three-year starter who has over 4,300 total yards in just his last two seasons. He already has 47 rushing TDs and four receiving TDs, plus two interception returns for scores. Junior Blake Holloway returns at WR/DB, and is the team’s kicker. This will be his third year as a starter, and so far he has 41 tackles with three INT, one of which he returned for a pick-6. He has caught 11 passes for 141 yards and a TD. As the team’s kicker, Holloway has converted all three of his FG attempts, and is 8/11 on PAT.
Hamp Thompson is the other junior, and this will be his second straight season as a starter. He has 53 tackles with three sacks, three forced fumbles, and an INT on defense. He has also rushed for two TDs. Sophomore Hayes Carter had a great freshman season in 2021, with 44 tackles, including a sack. He also chipped in 120 rushing yards.
What To Expect
Frederica welcomes transfers Sutton Ellis and Amauri Mountain. Ellis is a quarterback who comes to Frederica from Brunswick, while Mountain is from Glynn Academy. He will line up at RB and SS.
Coach Derrick tells ITG Next Georgia that his team will play what is the toughest schedule in GIAA, including non-region games against Brookwood School, Tiftarea, Valwood, Calvary Day School, Clinch County, and John Milledge Academy. The region opponents include Pinewood, Bulloch Academy, and St Andrews School.
Derrick says the upcoming season will be a real challenge for his team due to the level of competition his team will face week in and week out. “The goal is to forge the young kids by fire and gain great experience for the second season – the playoffs,” Derrick said. He isn’t, however, backing away from the challenge. “Our expectation, as always, is to win the region and play for another state championship,” he said.
Last season, the numbers were low for Frederica, so this year will see an improvement with 30 to 35 kids expected out by the time the season rolls around, according to the Knights head coach.
Prediction
The Knights will be a better team, and the wins will reflect that: 8-4 overall record this year.
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