We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Frederica Academy football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Knights this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 5-6
- Points Scored: 286
- Points Allowed: 356
Key Losses
Frederica Academy head coach Brandon Derrick’s main goal will be to replace quarterback Sutton Ellis. In his one season as the Frederica QB, Ellis enjoyed a great year, completing 63 of his 105 pass attempts for 850 yards and 7 TDs. He also added 1 TD and 71 yards rushing. On defense as a DB, Ellis also played well, ending up with 43 tackles and 2 INT. He has been rewarded for his play with an offer to continue his football career at Grove City College in Pennsylvania.
Coach Derrick told ITG Next Georgia that his team’s other key losses are C/DE Sam Norris and TE/DE Sean Mooney. Norris made his impact on defense over his last two seasons with 51 tackles, including 2 sacks. Mooney ended his Frederica career with a solid senior season, coming up with 49 tackles, including 4 TFL. He also contributed 2 receptions for 23 yards and a TD from his TE position last year.
Who’s Back
Leading the Knights onto the field in 2023 will be Jordan Triplett, who has enjoyed a great career at Frederica since he was a freshman. The four-year starter enters his final season looking to break the 10,000-yard mark on offense. The 5-foot, 11-inch RB is a two-time All-State performer, having rushed for 5,708 yards so far through his first three seasons. He has 73 rushing TDs and will have a good shot at breaking the 100-TD and 7,500-yard rushing mark.
Triplett also has 734 career receiving yards with 7 TDs, and 112 career tackles with 3 INT, 2 of which he returned for a TD. As a kick returner and punt returner, he has 20 punt returns and 11 kickoff returns, with 1 TD in each category.
Triplett is a generational talent, and you can bet he’ll get plenty of chances to help his team in his final season as a Knight. He has already committed to the Air Force, where he will attend the Air Force Academy and play for the Falcons. His returning teammates include freshman Jaylen Baldwin, who has a chance to take over at QB. Seniors Hamp Thompson and Rico Holmes also will be back.
What to Expect
Keys to the Knights having another solid season will depend on a few factors, including how quickly Baldwin can ease into the starting QB role. Coach Derrick told ITG Next Georgia that he’s looking forward to having a solid group of seniors, and he’ll count on them to provide leadership, along with several underclassmen who could make an impact.
“If our kids can grow up fast and our upperclassmen can hold it together through the maturation process, then we have a chance to have a solid team this season,” Derrick said.
Triplett’s presence gives Frederica a huge boost and incentive to send the three-star recruit out on a positive note.
Prediction
Look for a solid year from the 2023 Frederica Academy football team, with the Knights finishing 7-4.
Game to Watch
September 1 against Valwood.
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