HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: Deerfield-Windsor looks to bounce back from devastating championship loss

ALBANY — Heartbreak can sometimes be the fuel for future success and there is no doubt Deerfield-Windsor experienced plenty of hurt last season.

The Knights made a triumphant march to the Georgia Independent Schools Association finals and had two chances to take the lead in the fourth quarter before falling to Valwood to finish as the state runner-up.

Despite the loss, coach Allen Lowe said he has been around long enough to know that sometimes the breaks don’t go your way.

“We always preach that we want to get to the last game,” Lowe said. “It was a bitter pill to swallow. At the same time we were just grateful to be in that last one. Obviously, our goal is to get back to the last one again.”

While the goal for Deerfield-Windsor remains the same, many of the players who will try to help accomplish the goal will be different.

The Knights will have multiple newcomers at many key spots. Deerfield-Windsor will be breaking in a new quarterback and a new offensive line. They will also be without tight end John Samuel Shenker, who transferred to Colquitt County earlier this summer.

“We know we have to replace the entire offensive line,” Lowe said. “Finding those replacements is the first priority. There is going to be a lot of opportunity for kids to step up. We have quality players, but we’ve got to find some depth.”

The Knights have a combined seven returning starters (two on offense, five on defense) including seniors Howell Logan and Cameron McCook, who will see time on both sides.

Logan and McCook will likely play large factors in Deerfield’s season due to their talents and the senior leadership they can provide for a young team.

Last season, McCook led the Knights with 706 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. Logan came in second in both categories with six touchdowns on 654 rushing yards.

“It isn’t all about the running game or the passing game,” McCook said. “It is a team effort and we all have to encourage each other. I have to do my part and I also have to make sure everyone else does their part.”

The strength of the Deerfield-Windsor team will be the defense where they return McCook, Logan, John Jacobs and brothers Derek and Derik Davis.

Through the first 13 games last season, the Knights allowed an average of just 95 rushing yards per game.

“Defensively, we’ve got one or two holes we have to fill,” Lowe said. “We have a great nucleus. We are looking for big things from our linebacker spot and hopefully up front.”

Deerfield-Windsor opens the season Friday night with a home game against Trinity Christian-Sharpsburg. The Knights will not have a bye week this season. They will play Miller County in a GHSA-GISA crossover game that will be counted as exhibition for Miller but a regular season game for Deerfield.

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DEERFIELD-WINDSOR KNIGHTS

• REGION: GISA 3-AAA

• 2015 RECORD: 11-3

• COACH: Allen Lowe (23rd season)

• RETURNING STARTERS: FB/NG Cameron McCook (Sr.); RB/CB Howell Logan (Sr.); CB John Jacobs (Sr.); LB Derek Davis (Sr.); LB Derik Davis (Sr.)

• TOP NEWCOMERS: DE John Collier Logan (So.); QB Jack Kimbrel (So.); Garrett Jones (Jr.); DL Wills Hardegree (Sr.)

• 2016 SCHEDULE:

Aug. 12 — Trinity-Christian Sharpsburg

Aug. 19 — at Miller County

Aug. 26 — at North Florida Christian Academy

Sept. 2 — Terrell Academy

Sept. 9 — at Westfield School

Sept. 16 — Pinewood Christian Academy

Sept. 23 — Bessemer Academy (Ala.)

Sept. 30— at Southland Academy

Oct. 7 —Tiftarea Academy

Oct. 14— at Valwood School

Oct. 21 — Brookwood School