Deerfield-Windsor football looks for better outcomes this season

ALBANY – The Deerfield-Windsor Knights have shaken up their football schedule this year, hoping for a better season after a disappointing 1-9 record in 2023. The Knights will open the season Friday night against archrival Southland Academy, usually their season-ending opponent.

“The schedule shakeup happened mostly because Southland, who we normally play last, moved to AA and that is a region game week,” Deerfield-Windsor head coach Jake McCrae said. “And Maclay, who was first the last two years, will be in Ireland for week one, so we swapped spots. We dropped Strong Rock and Stratford and are playing teams closer to us geographically.”

A new addition to the schedule is Baconton Charter, which will come to Albany on Sept. 27.

The Knights had their first scrimmage of the season earlier at Stratford in Macon, and McCrae liked what he saw.

“It was a great scrimmage,” the coach said. “I saw a lot of good things and we saw some things we were exposed on. Most importantly, everyone came home healthy.”

After making it to the state championship game in 2022, the Knights struggled in 2023. McCrae is hopeful that 2024 will be better.

“After last year, we know all the mistakes not to make,” McCrae said. “Our guys need to have confidence in themselves and each other.”

The Knights return most of the players from last season, including quarterback Lane Sceals and running backs Cole Jones and Liam Elliot. Jake Hatcher is back for his senior year to lead the wide receiver corps, including Gabe Daniel, David Hutchins and Brantley Michlig.

Crawford Newman will anchor the offensive line at center with Cleland McCrae at left tackle, Cooper Harris at left guard and Davis McGalliard at right tackle.

In a new 4-3 defensive scheme, Jones will move from defensive end to linebacker, joined by Elliot and Burns Holden. The defensive backfield will be led by Ben Everett and Colin Snipes, while the defensive line will include Chapel Coley, Luke Ivey, Seth McKenzie, Hudson Abel and Davis Schneider.

The Knights have worked hard this summer and are optimistic about the upcoming season.

“We’ve had a good summer of work,” senior running back Jones said. “We’ve seen good leadership from our older guys and our younger players have been stepping up. We’ve bonded really well this summer.”

Jones also noted significant improvements in the team’s strength training, with several players squatting over 500 pounds and many bench pressing more than 300 pounds. He observed that the players have matured mentally and grown as a team.

As the season approaches, the Knights are determined to leverage their hard work and unity for a successful year.

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By Joe Whitfield
Sports Editor
JoeWhitfield[email protected]