Every coach will say they always place their best 11players on the field.
At First Presbyterian Christian Academy, however, first-year head coach James Sharp III said he feels blessed because he only has 11 players at his disposal, but they played their hearts out every minute of Friday’s 48-21 loss to Bethesda in Savannah in the Highlanders’ season opener.
 “I couldn’t ask for anything more than what they gave me,” he said. “They all played offense, defense, special teams … they played every minute and every snap.”
Last year, the Blazers pummeled the Highlanders, 40-7. But this year, the iron-man Highlander team gave Bethesda a challenge.
“We scored in our first offensive drive in the game,” Sharp said, adding that DeAngelo Streeter threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to George Mitchell.
“We just got a bit tired in the second half,” Sharp added.
Sharp said the Blazers’ coaches were great hosts, making his coaching debut a pleasant — although a bit nerve-wracking — experience.
“I was nervous … it was and a definitely a learning experience,” he said. “But it’s going to make things easier for me for next week’s game.”
FPCA will play St. Andrews at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Savannah.