Deerfield-Windsor back in state football playoffs

ALBANY —As most high school football teams do, the Deerfield-Windsor Knights came into this season prepared to roll with the punches.

After a heartbreaking 28-26 loss to Valwood in the state championship game last year, the Knights were dealt another blow losing a lot of leadership and experience in their senior class. They came into the season with a new offensive line, a new quarterback and just five returning starters to keep the team on track.

Still, the Knights have found a way to make it work. They are currently 6-4 on the season and will open the first round of the Georgia Independent Schools Association Class AAA state playoffs Friday night at Augusta Prep.

Head coach Allen Lowe said there was talent waiting, and this year, they’re making the most of their time to shine.

“We just got some good kids. A lot of them were waiting their turn and they’re getting their opportunity to play,” he said. “We’ve played pretty sound overall and we’ve played well defensively because our front seven is pretty solid. We’re making progress and we’re just hoping to make a good run.”

He added they’ve tried to allow their offensive players to play to their strengths, which has helped make the adjustment period easier as everyone fills out their roles.

“We’ve tried to take our guys and find what their strengths are and then we try to utilize them,” he said. “We’ve got a couple good fullbacks in [Cameron] McCook and Cooper Roberts, and they give us a good inside presence running the football. Then we’ve got Garrett Jones at tailback and Howell Logan and John Jacobs that gives us some speed along the perimeter, so we just try to use what we can.”

Sophomore quarterback and first year starter Jack Kimbrel said the team chemistry has also helped cut down on the growing pains.

“I’ve just known these guys basically all my life, so I know them, they know me and I think we just work together pretty well,” he said.

He added that backing up Tyler Lowe allowed him to garner some important lessons about the position that have helped him transition into the team’s starting QB.

“The main thing I took from him is know your offense, know your role and be a leader,” he said.

Jacobs was also able to keep lessons from last year’s senior class in mind.

“Most of the seniors last year taught me that even if you lose, don’t put your head down because you have another game after that,” he said. “Keep a positive attitude and you’ll do great.”

Jacobs said he was excited for the new season and the opportunities it would bring and said he tried to spread that attitude to his younger teammates.

“When we came back in the summer, we told the younger kids to come back and pick it up and give us some enthusiasm so that we can make it next year,” he said.

Lowe said the enthusiasm showed within his core group of leaders, so much that he feels inclined to trust them with more responsibilities.

“They had great offseasons,” he said. “They worked hard, they got stronger, they got faster. In fact, some of their roles, they may continue to change if they continue to step up like they have.”

Lowe said only time will tell if this team has what it takes to make it back to the big game as they begin the playoffs.