It’s an old football axiom that a team shows its most improvement from game one to game two. Unfortunately, Bryan County did not get that bump. After opening with a 36-7 loss to Treutlen County the Redskins tripped over their own feet the following week in a 28-14 defeat at the hands of Portal.

Things didn’t get any better the following week as Islands pulled out a 14-7 win against a Redskins team whose offense has been missing in action. Thankfully Bryan County had an open date this past week giving Coach Cherard Freeman and his staff an opportunity to reboot.

The break has given the Redskins staff the opportunity to revisit every phase of the game in order to make needed corrections which means they’ll be looking to get that “most improved” look when they take on Windsor Forest (2-1) in a 7:30 p.m. game Friday at Redskins Stadium.

Against Islands defensively the Redskins, other than one broken play which saw the Sharks score on a 54-yard fake punt, turned in their best effort of the season. The offense, other than a 65-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Jamariyan Cosey, struggled.

His team’s inability to run the ball has left Freeman stumped. Last year, for example, Bryan County averaged more than 200 yards per game. Per stats posted on MaxPreps, it is currently averaging 119.

Cosey, who was primarily a handoff the ball quarterback last year in starting as a freshman, is much improved. The sophomore is bigger, stronger and maturing by leaps and bounds and his long run against Islands was the longest by a Redskins quarterback in several years.

To take advantage of Cosey’s talents Freeman changed his offense going from quarterback under center, which he has always run, to the shotgun.

Cosey leads Bryan County in rushing with 178 yards and has completed 17 of 37 passes for 170 yards. Last year in eight games he completed 19 of 38 attempts for 287 yards.

Windsor Forest will present the Redskins their strongest test of the season.

The Knights, looking for their first winning season since 2021, are also coming off an open date. They lost to South Effingham, 28-13, after opening with wins over Groves (20-14) and Tattnall County (31-21).

Willie Martin Jr. is in his first year with the Knights after being the offensive coordinator the last six years at Crestwood High School in Sumter, S.C., and he has brought a new look with him.

That new look is his son, junior quarterback Jayden Martin, who is off to an excellent start and drawing the attention of college recruiters. Martin has offers from Wake Forest, Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion and Howard.

Martin started his freshman and sophomore years at Crestwood but was a defensive back and receiver. This is his first year playing quarterback in high school.

In the Knights’ three games he has completed 39 of 63 passes for 613 yards and five touchdowns while running for 294 on 35 attempts. Last year at Crestwood he had 216 yards rushing and two touchdowns along with 393 receiving for six touchdowns. As a defensive back he had four interceptions.

Despite getting off to a 0-3 start the Redskins are still very much alive for a playoff berth. In the GHSA’s latest Class 2A PSR ratings Bryan County is 52nd overall but 35th among public schools as 17 private schools are ahead of them.

This is due to Bryan County’s strength of schedule. The three schools they’ve lost to are a combined 9-1. This year only the region champion is guaranteed a playoff berth.

Of the Redskins’ remaining opponents only Calvary Day (3-1) and Screven County (2-1) have winning records going into this weekend. Metter and Savannah High are winless at 0-4, Savannah Christian is 1-3 and Warren County is 1-2.