SAVANNAH — Basketball games are won in runs; in football, it’s long drives and big plays—and Windsor Forest (2-6, 1-7) had the final answer Friday night.
The Knights put together a late drive, a safety, and a key defensive stand for their first region win, edging Islands (1-7, 1-6) 18–14 in a tight matchup.
Both teams traded early fourth-down tries on each team's first offensive series. The first half stayed close, with Islands gaining 148 yards to Windsor Forest's 146.
Islands opened with a 14-play, 69-yard, eight-minute drive, capped by Patrick Zyon’s 14-yard touchdown run with 9:11 to go in the first half. The two-point try on a spread formation, from Wilder Pratt to Michael Cooler, made it 8–0.
Windsor Forest answered right away. On second-and-16 from their own 27, JR Rowland hit Kamari Duncan, who got behind the Sharks’ defense for an 83-yard touchdown. A deflected pass in the end zone from Rowland to Dwane Franklin tied it at 8–8.
Islands regained the lead before halftime, marching 65 yards in nine plays. Ethan McKinney’s 5-yard run, with a failed two-point try, made it 14–8 at the break.
Windsor Forest started the second half but turned it over on downs at the Islands' 31. The Sharks responded with a nine-play drive, draining 5:36 off the clock, but fumbled at the Windsor 34. The turnover changed momentum and set up the Knights’ winning drive.
Windsor Forest trailed 14–8 entering the fourth. They drove 68 yards in 12 plays and scored on DeShawn Green’s 9-yard run. Green added a 3-yard conversion for a 16–14 lead with 9:05 left.
Moments later, penalties and a bad snap hurt the Sharks. Starting on their own 10-yard line, the Sharks couldn’t muster anything, which included a bad snap in the endzone, which was kicked out of the back of the endzone for a safety, giving Windsor Forest an 18–14 lead with 5:35 left in the game.
Islands got the ball at its 23 with 3:09 left. The Sharks reached the Knights’ 35 but stalled. On fourth-and-five, Knights defensive end Ibn Bizzard’s sack of Islands quarterback Mason McLaughlin sealed the win.
Both Windsor Forest coordinators credited the team’s resilience and second-half response for the win.
Offensive coordinator Zane Rowland said the momentum swung after the defense made a key play.
“That safety really helped us,” Rowland said. “We asked the defense at halftime to step up, and they did. The offense executed. We learned more about ourselves in facing adversity. I’m proud of these guys.”
Defensive coordinator Maurice ‘Coach Mack’ praised his players’ toughness and Bizzard’s game-clinching sack.
“It was a huge play,” Mack said. “We’re always a play or two away from winning. One guy can make it happen. I’m proud of their fight and resilience. We challenged them to play hard, and they did.”
Islands' head coach Rusty Perry reflected on the loss and his team’s development.
“It’s a tough game,” Perry said. “We had chances, but mistakes hurt us at the end.”
When asked about his team’s growth, Perry added:
“Absolutely, we grow every week. We’re handling adversity. Players are encouraging each other without coaches needing to. That’s what’s most important.”
Player notes: Sharks running back Ethan McKinney finished with 79 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. For the Knights, quarterback JR Rowland rushed for 64 yards on 13 carries and completed 10 of 13 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Kamari Duncan had three catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Offensively, the game was nearly even—Islands had 235 yards, Windsor Forest 225. But in a contest defined by resilience and timely execution, Windsor Forest found the winning edge when it mattered most.
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Windsor Forest 18, Islands 14 |
|||||
|
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
Total |
|
| IHS | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| WFHS | 0 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 18 |
|
First Quarter |
|||||
| No Scoring | |||||
|
Second Quarter |
|||||
| IHS – Patrick Zyon 14 run (Pat Wilder Pass to Michael Cooler)) | |||||
| WFHS - Kamari Duncan 83 yard pass from Jr Rowland (Rowland Pass to Dwaine Franklind) | |||||
| IHS - Ethan MCKInney 5 yard run (pass failed) | |||||
|
Third Quarter |
|||||
| No Scoring | |||||
|
Fourth Quarter |
|||||
| WFHS - Ja'Shawn Green 9 yard run (Green run) | |||||
| WFHS - Safety - ball kick out the back of the endzone | |||||
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Records—Islands 1-7, 1-6 Region 3-3A; Windsor Forest 2-6, 1-6 region. |
WEEK 10 FINAL SCORES
Week 10
Oct. 16
Bethesda 28, Williamsburg 26
Oct. 17
South Effingham 26, Bradwell 21
Effingham County 42, Greenbrier 17
Benedictine 75, Wayne County 0
Warner Robins 34, New Hampstead 26
Beach 64, Groves 12
Calvary Day 68, Johnson 0
Windsor Forest 16, Islands 14
Jenkins 49, Long County 13
Toombs County 42, Savannah Country Day 7
Bryan County 35, Jenkins County 14
Screven County 40, Savannah High 6
Bulloch Academy 45, St. Andrew's 6
Photo Credit: Prep Sports Report Staff
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