Playoff bound! Bryan County Redskins clinch first postseason berth since 2015

Follow Richmond Hill and Bryan Co. high school football all season long at SavannahNow.com. Support our coverage of the Redskins, Wildcats and more by becoming a digital subscriber at SavannahNow.com/subscribenow.

Bryan County got a monkey off its back Friday night. The next challenge will be getting rid of the gorilla.

The Redskins rolled over winless Savannah High, 41-0, in a Region 3A-D1 game to earn their first berth in the GHSA state football playoffs since 2015.

“Yes, we did,” said third-year coach Cherard Freeman. “We got it off our back.

“This was a great win for the school, a great win for the program, a great win for the community. And most of all I’m excited for our boys.”

Next up is securing a winning record for the first time since 2013. To do that, the Redskins (5-4, 1-2) must beat Claxton (4-5, 1-2) next Friday at Claxton.

A win at Claxton would give the Redskins the region's No. 3 seed in the playoffs. While Freeman would prefer to have the higher seed, he’s just relieved to see his team in the playoffs. Freeman is in his third year having taken over a program that is now 12-50 since that last playoff berth.

Ahead from the coin toss on

Bryan County won the coin toss and, in an unusual move for Freeman, elected to receive. Sophomore running back Nicholas Marrero scored on a 30-yard run on the fifth play of the game.

There was no looking back at that point as Konnor Leggett, Naythan Lee, Jacari Carney, Erin Greene and Sean Kelly Hill all scored rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Trevor Lanier kicked four extra points and completed one pass for 25 yards to Ethan Trombley. Leggett also had a PAT kick.

“We never take the ball first when it’s our choice,” Freeman said. “Tonight, we wanted to set the tone of the game and we did. We didn’t know what Savannah was going to come out with and we were able to jump out on top.”

Points per minute?

Bryan County averaged 5.65 points per minute in the first half as it needed only 24 plays and 435 seconds to score its six touchdowns. The scoring drives covered 63 yards (1:57), 32 yards (1:31), 46 yards (1:01), 20 yards (0:56), 20 yards (1:10) and 20 yards (0:40).

Next up: Last game in iconic venue

Next Friday's game at Claxton will mark the final game in one of Georgia’s iconic high school football stadiums, known as the "Pecan Grove." Claxton moves to a new stadium next year. Freeman coached three years at Claxton where he was the defensive coordinator under Coach Alan Cartwright before taking the head coaching job at Warren County.

They said it ...

“We’ve put a lot of hard work and dedication into it. I’ve been playing football for four years and this team really came together.” – Redskins’ senior defensive tackle Carter Tapley.

“I know you can only get better in sports. You just have to stick in there and get stronger and faster. I definitely felt we could be a playoff team after the Portal and Treutlen games.” – Senior two-way lineman Tarrell Singleton on what motivated him to stay with football for four years.

Game ball goes to the coaching staff

When Freeman took over the Bryan County program three years ago, he elected to start upwards of 15 freshmen. He and his staff never deviated from the plan which he said would have the Redskins in the playoffs in his third year. Those coaches and players took their beatings without complaint and are now in the postseason.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Bryan County Redskins football clinch GHSA state playoff berth