Windsor Knights Catch Fire Late, Set for Quarterfinal Clash with Brentwood

After a midseason turnaround under Head Coach Dylan Bass, the Windsor Knights (5-6, 2-1) ride a three-game win streak into Sandersville to face the reigning state champs, the Brentwood War Eagles (9-1, 5-0)

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s been a season of highs and lows for the Windsor Academy Knights, but at just the right time, the team is playing its best football in years. Under third-year head coach Dylan Bass, the 5-6 Knights are riding a late surge of momentum into Friday’s GIAA Class AA quarterfinal matchup against top-seeded Brentwood in Sandersville.

After a strong 32-8 win in their season opener, Windsor stumbled through four straight losses before a key midseason change sparked a turnaround. Junior captain Heath Woodard took over at quarterback, and the offense found its rhythm.

Since then, the Knights have won four of their last six contests, including a first-round playoff victory over Augusta Prep. Woodard has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards this season – with 1,300 of those coming in the last four games alone. His breakout performance earned him Back of the Week honors from the Macon Touchdown Club after throwing for almost 500 yards and six touchdowns in a 51-35 win over Heritage.

Senior captain Dawson Sims, who began the year at quarterback, has become a dual-threat weapon at receiver and running back, amassing over 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns. Senior leader Santiago “Santa” Medina – another Macon Touchdown Club honoree – has been the Knights’ do-it-all playmaker. Medina boasts almost 600 receiving yards, two interceptions, a 47-yard field goal, and has handled kicking and punting duties extremely well this year.

Coach Bass says his team’s late-season growth has been about perseverance and belief.

“Man, it’s been a roller coaster,” Bass said. “We felt like we dropped a few games early we should’ve won, but now we’re hitting our stride. This is the time you want to be peaking anyway. We’re just happy to still be playing.”

Medina said the Knights have finally put all phases of the game together.

“This is the best our team has played as one,” he said. “We’ve had great offense here and great defense there, but now we’ve brought it all together.”

Woodard echoed that sentiment, adding,

“It’s Windsor versus everybody. This is a good time to get hot, and we’re getting hot now.”

That momentum will be tested Friday against Brentwood, the defending GIAA AA state champion and number-one seed. Bass said his team’s focus remains internal – playing fast, spreading the ball around, and trusting each other.

“Brentwood has it going on. Coach Lord and his staff do a phenomenal job,” Bass said. “But our confidence is through the roof right now. We know Brentwood’s tough, but we believe we’re tough too.”

Medina believes this matchup could be closer than people expect.

“Now that we’re at our peak, I think it’s going to be a really good matchup,” he said.

Woodard added,

“At the beginning of the year, I felt pressure. But now I just get the ball to my playmakers, and they make plays for me.”

Bass said the team’s midseason “come to Jesus” meeting was a turning point, helping refocus the Knights for a playoff push.

“We lost a heart breaker at Flint River and could’ve folded,” he said. “But these older guys like Santiago and Dawson, they didn’t let it slip away. They’ve kept us fighting.”

Now, Windsor looks to pull off the upset and earn program win number five in the 15th all-time meeting between the Knights and the War Eagles,  as well as a ticket to the state semifinals.

“If defense comes together as one, offense comes together as one,” Medina said, “I think we have a really good chance.”

“I’m excited,” Woodard added. “I think we’re really gonna make a run here.”

Windsor heads to Washington County to take on Brentwood in GIAA AA Quarterfinals play. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Catch highlights from this game, along with several others, on The End Zone during 41NBC News at 11 p.m. Tune into pregame coverage live from The Eagles’ Nest during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30, and 6 p.m.