Week 4 of Savannah-area high school football delivered standout performances, thrilling finishes, and turning points that shaped Friday night under the lights. hat did the coaches have to say? Catch all the recaps, coach quotes, and the full Week 5 schedule.
Beach 49, Windsor Forest 18
Beach defeated Windsor Forest 49–18 with a strong performance on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Jayvion Williams accounted for six total touchdowns, throwing for 245 yards on 7-of-9 passing with four touchdown passes and rushing for 109 yards with two scores. Kequan Ferguson scored three touchdowns with 133 receiving yards, and Dakari Smith added a touchdown with 88 yards receiving. On defense, Smith led the way with four sacks and nine tackles, Eric Johnson had two sacks and five solo tackles, and Ferguson added five tackles and an interception.
For Windsor Forest, quarterback Jr. Rowland connected with Jayden Thomas on a 60-yard touchdown and found Dayvon Griffith for another score. Griffith added a field goal before halftime and went 1-for-1 on PATS (Points After Touchdowns). Thomas finished with several key catches, while Drew Mitchell recorded an interception and the Windsor defense forced a safety. Terrell Savage had a big kick return down to the Beach 4-yard line.
Coach Thompson said the turning point came late in the second quarter when Beach intercepted a Windsor pass deep in their own territory, then drove for a touchdown to extend the lead. He noted that momentum swing carried through the rest of the game.
Next Up: Beach (1-1, 1-1) faces Jenkins (2-1, 2-0) at Savannah High Stadium. Windsor at Calvary Day School
Bethesda Academy 50, John Paul II 14
Bethesda Academy rolled past John Paul II, 50–14, in a complete performance from start to finish. The Blazers set the tone early when Braylen Martin intercepted a pass in the end zone to stop John Paul’s opening drive, and on the very next play, Jordan Turner hit Raleigh Wesley for an 80-yard touchdown. From there, Bethesda’s offense and special teams kept piling on.
Turner went 5-of-8 for 185 yards and three touchdowns, while also scoring on a 14-yard run. Wesley had four receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns, plus a 75-yard kickoff return for a score. Jordan Cheever added six carries for 60 yards and a touchdown, and Malachi Morris hauled in a 55-yard touchdown pass.
On defense, Isaiah Jones led with 10 tackles, Nick Jackson added 14, and Isaiah Redmond recorded nine tackles and a sack. Kamond Young had eight tackles and a pass breakup, while Martin finished with three tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup. On special teams, Hociel Garcia made two PATs, and Wesley’s 75-yard kickoff return highlighted the night.
Coach Antwain Turner pointed to the early interception and quick score as the game’s turning point. “The Blazers played well tonight in all three phases of the game,” he said.
Next Up: Bethesda (2-0) visits Hilton Head Prep (0-3), 5 p.m.
Bluffton 33, Savannah Country Day 20
Savannah Country Day (1-3,0-0) fell to Bluffton 33–20. The Hornets opened with a 12-play touchdown drive to answer Bluffton’s early score, but could not keep the momentum going. Defensively, SCD gave up too many explosive plays and struggled to get stops.
Thomas Holland led the way with 31 carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Boone Wiesner added 35 yards and a touchdown on three carries. In the passing game, James Pannell caught four passes for 70 yards while Peyton Bean had four catches for 47 yards.
The turning point came as the Hornets failed to sustain drives, which allowed Bluffton to keep pressure on both sides of the ball. Coach Blackmore said, “Give credit to Bluffton High School. Offensively they were able to get their playmakers the ball in space. Defensively they did a great job of making us earn every yard and put long scoring drives together which we proved unable to do consistently.”
Next Up: Bye week, hosts Tattnall County on Sept. 19.
Bradwell 35, Glynn Academy 28
Bradwell earned a 35–28 win over Glynn Academy in a back-and-forth Region 1-6A game. Quarterback Jahbari Felix powered the Tigers, completing 14 of 26 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing 12 times for 93 yards and two more scores. Wide receiver Dewayne Chatman caught four passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns, and Jerome Delaney anchored the defense with four tackles for loss.
The turning point came in the fourth quarter when Bradwell’s defense forced a three-and-out, setting up the game-winning drive. Coach DeShon Brock said, “We had to play four full quarters and have a good game in all three phases of the game.” He credited his team’s ability to stay locked in for the full four quarters and make plays when they mattered most.
Next Up: Bradwell (1-1, 1-0) at Effingham County (1-2, 0-1), “Effingham County a quality team that’s loaded with talent. We have to play well,” Brock added.
Brunswick 42, Effingham County 14
Effingham County fell 42–14 to Brunswick in a tough Region 1-6A matchup. The Pirates came out firing, leading 21–7 at the end of the first quarter and extending the margin to 28–7 by halftime. From there, Brunswick kept control on both sides of the ball and closed out the win.
JR McKenzie led the Rebels in scoring with two rushing touchdowns, while Isaiah Brown caught three passes for 65 yards. Still, Effingham struggled to slow down Brunswick’s balanced attack. The turning point came in the opening quarter when Brunswick’s fast start gave them a two-touchdown lead that Effingham couldn’t recover from.
Head Coach John Ford said afterward, “Have to bounce back.” Looking ahead, he added, “Bradwell Institute, athletic, well coached, coming off a win against Glynn Academy will be flying high.”
Next Up: Effingham County (1-2, 0-1) hosts Bradwell Institute (1-1, 1-0)
Bryan County 28, Savannah High 7
Bryan County leaned on a powerful ground game and tough defense to earn a 28–7 victory over Savannah High. The Redskins held the Blue Jackets to under 100 total yards while rushing their way to the win.
Buck McKinney ran nine times for 103 yards and a touchdown, added a 24-yard catch, and made three tackles on defense. Sophomore Gerome Lee carried 18 times for 104 yards and a score. Junior linebacker Eli Koskela led the defense with 10 tackles, including seven solo and one for loss, while also chipping in five carries for 33 yards on offense. Kicker Will Summerford went 4-for-4 on PATs.
The Redskins overcame penalties and a turnover that slowed their first-half offense, but their defense set the tone and limited Savannah High to one score. Defensive Coordinator Tim Adams said, “Our defense set the tone early and played well all night with exception of one costly mistake. Offensively, we were our own worst enemy in first half. A turnover and penalty or two killed a couple of good drives. But we moved the ball by grinding it out and eliminating self-inflicted wounds.”
Next Up: Bryan County (2-1, 1-0) travels to Portal (1-2, 0-1)
Calvary Day 28, Southeast Bulloch 24
Calvary Day edged Southeast Bulloch 28–24 in a physical showdown between two strong teams. Despite missing three defensive starters, the Cavaliers relied on a “next man up” mentality and came through with key turnovers and timely stops to secure the win.
On offense, Jalen Hicks caught nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, while Zay Middleton rushed 11 times for 107 yards. The defense was anchored by Gabriel Ausfeld (7 tackles, 2 TFL), Jay Varner (6 tackles, 3 TFL), Deshawn Wylie (7 tackles, 2 TFL), Kenneth Baker (8 tackles, 2 QB hurries), and Scotty Walker (8 tackles, 1 INT). On special teams, Grady Shiver produced five touchbacks.
The turning point came in the third quarter when Calvary’s defense forced a fumble at the goal line, resulting in a touchback. Soon after, quarterback James Mobley connected with Hicks for a huge touchdown that gave the Cavaliers the lead. Head Coach Jason Cameron praised his team’s resilience, saying, “A team that loves each other and refuses to let the person next to them down is hard to beat! We showed once again that what we are working on off the field is willing us to wins on the field.”
Next Up: Calvary (3-0,2-0) hosts Windsor Forest (1-2, 0-2)
Jenkins 45, Liberty County 7
The Jenkins Warriors delivered a dominant all-around performance in a 45–7 win over Liberty County. Jenkins controlled the game from the opening series, pounding the ball on the ground behind Ryan Scott’s hard running and solid offensive line play. By the end of the third quarter, the Warriors had built a 31-point lead and never looked back.
Dominique Johnson stood out with 67 rushing yards and a touchdown, 80 receiving yards and another score, plus an interception on defense. Ryan Scott carried 15 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns, while Torean Wilson added a 35-yard touchdown run and KeMari Wright chipped in a score as well. Defensively, Brandon Brown tallied 12 tackles, Aujshawn Izzard added 8 tackles with an interception, and Zhire Sanders finished with six tackles, three tackles for loss, and two hurries. On special teams, Joshua Woodley was a difference maker, going 5-for-5 on PATs, hitting a 35-yard field goal, and blasting seven kickoffs for 417 yards with five touchbacks.
For Liberty County, it was a difficult night as the Panthers suffered their first loss of the season. Jenkins’ pressure forced two interceptions and shut down most offensive opportunities.
Head Coach Anthony Welch summed up his team’s mindset: “Every game for us is a championship game.”
Next Up: Jenkins (2-1,2-0) faces Beach (1-1,1-1) in a Thursday night showdown on September 11. Liberty County (2-1,1-1) is home against Long County (3-0,2-0) on Friday, September 12.
Oceanside Collegiate 41, Savannah Christian 21
Savannah Christian fell 41–21 to Oceanside Collegiate in a game where special teams proved costly. The Raiders moved the ball effectively on offense but gave up at least two scores on special teams’ mistakes, which helped Oceanside build momentum and take control.
Quarterback Blaise Thomas completed 14 of 18 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 75 yards and another score on 25 carries, totaling 241 all-purpose yards. Weston Hughes hauled in seven receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown, and Athen Hudspeth added a one-yard rushing score.
On defense, Ivyn Richardson posted nine tackles (eight solo), Christian Beard had seven tackles (five solo), and John Gross added five tackles with a tackle for loss.
The turning points came on a fake field goal Oceanside executed for a first down that led to a touchdown, along with a bad snap on special teams that resulted in another score. Head Coach Baker Woodward said, “We want to play elite special teams, but we did not Friday night and it showed. Oceanside played their best game of the year and although we did not play bad offensively, we can improve defensively and with our special teams.”
Next Up: Savannah Christian (3-1,0-0) hosts Fellowship Christian (2-1,0-0)
Richmond Hill 38, New Hampstead 14
Richmond Hill controlled the game in a 38–14 win over New Hampstead, thanks to a strong defensive showing and an efficient offense. The Wildcats got an early boost when Duke Taylor blocked a punt, setting up a short field. Later in the second quarter, a key fourth-down stop was followed by a perfectly executed 85-yard two-minute drill that gave Richmond Hill a 24–7 halftime lead.
Quarterback Gunner Mobley went 14-of-23 for 200 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Amire Miller carried 21 times for 89 yards and two scores, while DJ Porter added 74 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Eli Grant led the receivers with six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown, while Marquis Muhammad and Nick Cameron combined for 80 yards and another score. Nick Swain added a 36-yard catch.
Defensively, Jaylon Deal made 10 tackles with two sacks, Layton Steigelman had four tackles and a fumble recovery, and Tre Brown added four tackles. On special teams, Cannon Kuryla was perfect with a 38-yard field goal and 5-for-5 on PATs, while Porter added a 26-yard kick return.
Head Coach Matt LeZotte said, “I was very proud of the way our guys handled adversity, and we continue to improve in every facet of the game.”
Next Up: Richmond Hill (3-0,0-0) goes on the road for the first time at Wayne County (0-4,0-0)
OTHER GAMES
Briarwood Academy 41, St. Andrew's 22
St. Andrew’s fell 41–28 on the road to Briarwood Academy in a non-region game, according to MaxPreps.com statistics.
Senior Amari Cook scored twice for the Lions, rushing for 52 yards and a touchdown and catching three passes for 27 yards and another score. Sophomore Darius Chapman added seven carries for 66 yards and a touchdown while also making nine tackles on defense.
Quarterback Patrick Jackson completed 6 of 12 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Joe Frazar led with 11 tackles, and Landen Buchmann added 10.
Next Up: St. Andrew’s (1–3) is at Augusta Prep (1–3) on Sept. 12.
Long County 50, Groves 20
Groves senior quarterback Kaleb Detty had a big night in a 50–20 loss to Long County, according to MaxPreps. Detty set a new career-high in passing yards, completing 29 of 32 throws for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing, carrying the ball 11 times for 70 yards.
Ronald Williams caught five passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while Taff James added five receptions for 85 yards. William West chipped in with three catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive stats for Groves were not listed.
Next Up: Groves (0-3,0-2) hosts Islands (0-3,0-2) in the first-ever football game at Groves High School’s new stadium.
Week 5 Schedule
Sept. 11, Thursday
Jenkins at Beach (SHS)*
Pierce County at New Hampstead (PS)
Sept. 12, Friday
Richmond Hill at Wayne County
Bradwell at Effingham County *
Lakeside-Evans at South Effingham *
Windsor Forest at Calvary Day *
Islands at Groves * (GS)
Johnson at SE Bulloch *
Long County at Liberty County *
Fellowship Christian at Savannah Christian (PS)
Bryan County at Portal *
Metter at Savannah High * (SHS)
Bethesda at Hilton Head Prep, 5 p.m.
St. Andrew's at Augusta Prep, 7 p.m.
NOTE: * Region Games
Stadium Key
DP — Daffin Park
GS — Groves Stadium
IS — Islands Stadium
MS — Memorial Stadium
SHS — Savannah High Stadium
PS — Pooler Stadium
Photo: Courtesy lensbyshaunce_
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