In his 22 seasons leading the football program at Bethesda Academy, coach Antwain Turner has seen his share of players leave the team and transfer to other squads in the Coastal Empire.
But Turner has built something special at Bethesda with a pair of SCISA State titles in the last three years.
The Savannah football community has taken notice and the tides have turned with talented transfers making their way to the historic campus to play for the well-respected coach.This season the Blazers have added a pair of talented receivers in senior Zhyir Witcher, who came in from Jenkins, and his classmate MJ Scott, from St. Andrew's. Brothers Dezrin Davis, a senior, and Devrin Davis, a junior, transferred in from Johnson High.
Defensive back Shawn Williams
Jr., who holds offers from Wake Forest and James Madison, transferred in from Calvary Day and Iunmutef Al-Kush, a junior lineman and fullback, also transferred from Jenkins.
Last season, standout senior linebacker Isaiah Jones came over from Benedictine and was an All-Greater Savannah first-team pick after helping lead Bethesda to the SCISA Class 2A title.
Bethesda has picked up where it left off last season by winning its first three games to extend its winning streak to 15 games. The Blazers beat host Savannah Christian 32-28 in the first game between the teams in the first game Bethesda ever played against a GHSA program.
Witcher came from Jenkins after starting his prep career at New Hampstead. The 6-foot-6, 190-pounder caught the game winning touchdown pass in the final minutes of a victory at Savannah Christian and has 15 receptions for 221 yards and the score in three games.
"Zhyir is a phenomenal person and athlete with a lot of range and has the ability to go up and high point the ball," Turner said. "He is coming in to his own with his blocking abiity and it was a full circle moment when he came to Bethesda because his dad, Terry Roberts, was a great player here himself."
Witcher, who has four offers including Bethany College, said he has found a home playing for Turner.
"Coming to Bethesda was a big change from public school," Witcher said. "It's helped me become more confident in myself and to not bring myself or others down and stay positive ― I've become more of a team player. Coach Turner has helped me ― in the game against Savannah Christian we had turned the ball over and I was on the bench with my head down. He came over and told me to keep my head up and stay in the game ― and then we made the game-winning play on that touchdown pass."
Scott has been another key addition in the passing game that features Turner's son, junior Jordan Turner, running the show at quarterback. Jordan has thrown for 700 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions for the Blazers (3-0). Scott has 10 catches for 200 yards and four scores.
"MJ is a great route runner and he's another guy who can go up and get it when you throw it to him," Antwain Turner said. "He has an amazing summer in 7-on-7 and he and Jordan are really getting in synch together."
Williams Jr. was a key contributor at Calvary in the Cavs run to the Class A-3A Private School state championship game last season as he picked off three passes and had 35 tackles. He has 11 tackles and an interception this year.
"Shawn has done a fantastic job at cornerback and he also playing at receiver and is our return specialist," Turner said. "He can play anywhere and he plays very aggressive and smart."
Williams said he enjoys playing for Bethesda under Turner.
"Coach Turner he wants it all, he wants 110% on every rep with no plays off," Williams Jr. said. "If he knows you can go 110%, he'll ask you to go 120%. He helps us off the field by making sure do well in school, become closer to God and stay out of trouble. He wants you to take care of business in everything you do."
Dezrin Davis is a receiver/tight end who has nine catches for 131 yards and a score.
"Dezrin is 6-2 and 200 pound and has played a big role in our success," Turner said. "And he has an offer from Georgia State."
His younger brother, Devrin Davis, has 16 tackles at linebacker.
"He's an excellent player and is mixing in well with Ka'Mond (Young) and Isaiah (Jones) at linebacker," Turner said.
Al-Kush has 17 tackles and a fumble recovery on the defensive front.
"He's got a great motor and is very physical and smart with his approach," Turner said.
Turner said he is glad to see the interest his program is getting as he had the most players ever come out for the team with 51 this season.
"Our motto this year is 'The Gold Standard' and I think kids want to come here to play for our team, but they want to experience more than athletics and they can find that here," Turner said. "Our purpose to transform kids into driven men through sports. We want the lessons they learn in football to carry over to academics and their everyday life. When they come to Bethesda they feel the love and become part of a brotherhood ― and they know they can get anywhere from here."
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: How transfers have helped bolster successful Bethesda football program
