Zane Rowland, sports correspondent
The Bryan County Middle High School Redskins football team made the short trip over to Hinesville on Friday night to compete in a jamboree-style football scrimmage tournament as part of their prep for the upcoming season. The Redskins, who compete in Class A, took an opportunity to play two bigger schools in Savannah’s Windsor Forest (3A) and Hinesville’s Bradwell Institute (5A).
While the final scores of the two games were not in Bryan County’s favor, the Redskins gave their best efforts against two quality football programs that are in higher classifications than they are.
Bradwell Institute 28, Bryan County 7
The first scrimmage game would be against the host team, the Bradwell Institute Tigers. Bryan County held their own early on in the contest, as senior playmaker Ger’Bravion Collins helped lead the charge for the Redskins. Collins played all over the field during the evening, seeing time at quarterback, tailback and defensive back.
After giving up an early touchdown to the Tigers--one that came in less than a minute and a half for the fast-paced Tigers offense--Collins and the Redskins would answer the call and score on a touchdown drive of their own. The Redskins played a slower, more methodical type of game, running their Wing-T offense. After chipping away short runs all night, Collins was able to bust loose on a 65-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7.
However, Bradwell’s squad depth and overall athleticism allowed the Tigers to pull away from the Redskins with four total touchdowns from former Liberty County High School transfer Jah’Barri Felix, who scored three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.
Windsor Forest 14, Bryan County 7
The Redskins started out the second game against Windsor Forest High School by giving up a big pass on a sophomore to sophomore connection from Jr Rowland to Dwane Franklin. However, a penalty would bring out the play, and the Redskins would hold on to force a three and out.
On their first play from scrimmage, senior Anddreas McKinney rushed for nine yards, setting up for an easy 2nd and short that was converted for a first down. Collins would rush for another eight yards, but a penalty would bring them back in reverse. However, on a long third down and eighteen, freshman quarterback Jamarian Cosey dropped back and found a wide open McKinny, who eventually broke a few tackles and made his way into the end zone.
Not to be outdone, the Knights would answer right back, with Jr Rowland completing a tunnel screen to Jayden Thomas, who took it 75 yards for the tying touchdown.
On the ensuing drive, McKinny broke off two big runs that nearly went for a touchdown. However, Cosey took a big sack on the following play, and put the Redskins’ backs against the wall. Back-to-back incompletions stalled the drive that started with much promise of scoring another touchdown.
The Knights opened the following drive with a completion from Rowland to Thomas, a good run by Antonio Wolfolk, another completion from Rowland to Ramir Richardson, and then an offsides penalty by the Redskins. On a play that seemed to be busted by the Knights, it turned into a scramble by Rowland, who eventually found Kamari Duncan for the go ahead touchdown.
Bryan County will open their season next Friday with a home game against Johnson High School of Savannah. Kickoff for the game will be at 7:30pm.
