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BETHESDA ACADEMY

REGION: SCISA 1-A

2020 RECORD: 5-5

HEAD COACH: Antwain Turner

POINTS SCORED: 289

POINTS AGAINST: 221

KEY PLAYERS: Adrian Okee (RB/CB -- Sr.); Triston Randall (QB/LB -- So.); Michael Henley (DL/OL -- So.); Mason Wilson (C/DL -- Sr.); LaT’eYohn Anderson (OT/DT -- Sr.); Romond Robinson (OL/LB -- So.)

FROM THE COACH: “We are grateful for the opportunity to compete this year. We will have new faces in new positions, but we will press our way to the top.” -- Antwain Turner

Now in his 17th season coaching Bethesda Academy football, Antwain Turner has built a rock-solid program playing in the South Carolina Independent School Association. Bethesda went .500 last year -- 5-5 overall. The record could’ve been better as the Blazers outscored opponents by 68 points on the year. 

Turner’s team returns four of five offensive linemen from 2020 this season, highlighted by two-way sophomore linemen Michael Henley and Romond Robinson. Both saw action last season as freshmen. 

But, the Bethesda skill positions will largely feature new talent in 2021 as standouts such as Antjuan McKay and Ivan Gooding are now graduated. Donte Dorman, perhaps a one-time candidate to replace McKay at quarterback this season, is also gone after transferring to Windsor Forest.

Senior Adrian Okee should be the featured running back for Turner and company this season. Sophomore Triston Randall is the likely starter at quarterback to begin the year.

The Blazers will use a spread-scheme on offense and a multiple look on the defensive side. They will open up their 2021 season on the road at St. Andrew’s on August 27 in a non-region affair.

2021 Schedule

Bethesda Academy
Blazers – Blue &  Gold
8/27	At St. Andrew's
9/03	At Beaufort Academy
9/10	At John Paul II
9/17	St. John’s Christian Academy
9/24	Hilton Head Prep
10/01	Colleton Prep
10/08	At Hilton Head Christian
10/15	At Greenwood Christian
10/22	Thomas Heyward Academy
10/29	Dorchester Academy

REGION: GHSA 3-A Public

BRYAN COUNTY

2020 RECORD: 1-7

HEAD COACH: Cherard Freeman

POINTS SCORED: 46

POINTS AGAINST: 304

KEY PLAYERS: Sean Kelly Hill (QB/S -- So.); Tanner Ennis (RB/S -- So.); Austin Clemens (LB/RB -- So.); Bryson Abernathy (LB -- So.); Carter Tapley (OL/DL -- Jr.)

FROM THE COACH: “We have had a great off-season at Bryan County. We have gotten stronger and quicker as a team. Our goal this season is to keep improving and to win a few games.” -- Cherard Freeman

Cherard Freeman takes over a Bryan County program in the midst of rebuilding its ranks to compete in GHSA’s Region 3-A Public in 2021 and beyond. The Redskins (1-7 last season) will run a Wing-T style on offense while deploying a 3-3-5 scheme on the defensive side of things.

Bryan County returns 10 starters on offense and 10 on defense. The returning experience is cause for optimism in Pembroke this fall.

A loaded sophomore class includes: Sean Kelly Hill (QB), Austin Clemens (LB/RB), Tanner Ennis (RB/S) and Bryson Abernathy (LB). Bryan opens its season with a home game on August 20 against Augusta’s Butler High School. 

2021 Schedule

Bryan County
Redskins - Red & White
8/20	Butler
8/27	At Lincoln County
9/03	At East Laurens
9/17	At McIntosh County Academy
9/24	At Screven County
10/01	Claxton
10/15	Jenkins County
10/22	Metter
10/29	At Emanuel County Institute
11/05	Portal

MEMORIAL DAY

REGION: GISA 2-2A

2020 RECORD: 2-7

HEAD COACH: Tyler Helmly

POINTS SCORED: 97

POINTS AGAINST: 311

KEY PLAYERS: Amare Drew (RB -- So.); Tyler Kindle (QB --  ; Amareon Jordan (FB/LB -- Sr.)

FROM THE COACH: “Our team is very young with only five seniors this season. The sophomores and juniors have plenty of game experience because of our only having five seniors on the roster last season. This team has great senior leadership however, and it has shown up in practices. We are looking forward to a successful 2021 football season.”                 -- Tyler Helmly

Memorial Day looks to rebound with a young crop of players in 2021. Last year was a tough season, one which ended with a 2-7 overall record for first year head coach Tyler Helmly’s team. The final two games of the season had to be forfeited by Memorial due to COVID-19 concerns.

In his second season as the head Matador, Helmly will benefit from a little more normalcy and he’ll also have six returning starters on offense and seven on defense. Memorial will use the Wing-T offense and a 4-3 scheme defensively.

Sophomore running back Amare Drew will receive a bulk of the carries in the run-heavy offense. Fellow sophomore Tyler Kindle is the likely starter at quarterback and senior Amareon Jordan is a critical piece on both sides of the ball at fullback and linebacker.

2021 Schedule

Memorial Day School
Matadors – Blue & Red
9/03	At Thomas Jefferson
9/10	At Piedmont Academy
9/17	At John Paul II
9/24	St. Andrew’s School
10/01	At Bulloch Academy
10/8	At Frederica Academy
10/15	At Pinewood Christian
10/22	At Terrell Academy
10/29	Southwest Georgia Academy
11/5	At Robert Toombs Christian Academy

ST. ANDREW’S

REGION: GISA 2-3A

2020 RECORD: 2-5-1

HEAD COACH: Blake Henry

POINTS SCORED: 86

POINTS AGAINST: 107

KEY PLAYERS: Anthony Kusilka (WR/DB -- Sr.); Cameron Helle (OL/LB -- Sr.); Ethan Bland (RB/LB -- Sr.); Ethan Wilkins (TE/OL/DL -- Sr.)

FROM THE COACH: “St. Andrew's has had a good summer, with close to 30 players playing on the team this season. We are building a new culture here and the future looks bright.” 

-- Blake Henry 

A new head coach in Blake Henry and a young, hungry roster has the St. Andrew’s football program moving in the right direction entering the 2021 campaign. SAA will utilize a pro-style offensive scheme in Year 1 under Henry. The Lions will be multiple on defense.

A core group of seniors figures to be the most critical collection of players for how the season ultimately turns out for Henry and the lions.

Anthony Kusilka (WR/DB) and Ethan Bland (RB/LB) are key offensive weapons to watch for while Cameron Helle (OL/LB) and Ethan Wilkins (OL/DL) are set to play big roles along both lines of scrimmage.

2021 Schedule

St. Andrew’s School
Lions – Blue &  Gold
8/27	Bethesda
9/03	At John Paul II
9/10	Hilton Head Prep
9/24	At Memorial Day School
10/01	At Robert Toombs Christian Academy
10/8	Pinewood Christian
10/15	At Trinity Christian
10/22	Frederica Academy
10/29	Bulloch Academy
11/5	Notre Dame Academy

Follow Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Contact him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.