The Coastal Empire produced another action-packed week under the Friday night lights, filled with statement wins, clutch moments, and standout individual performances. From Benedictine’s shutout to Richmond Hill’s gritty region victory, Week 8 showed why this part of Georgia remains one of the state’s most competitive football regions. Here’s how the action unfolded across Savannah and beyond — with all stats and coach quotes exactly as submitted.
Beach 34, Islands 7
Beach (2-3,2-3) powered past Islands (1-5,1-4) behind a dominant ground game, racking up more than 200 rushing yards. Jordan Newton led the way with 188 rushing yards and one touchdown, while Kejuan Ferguson added 88 yards and two scores. Linebacker Dakari Smith anchored the defense with eight solo tackles and a sack. The Bulldogs forced a turnover that turned into points, seizing full control of the game.
Coach Michael Thompson’s Quote: “Great physical game, which put us in the playoff hunt.”
Looking Ahead: “Johnson, definitely focus on stopping Johnson’s run game. Very well-coached team,” said Thompson.
Next: Oct. 10 vs. Johnson ( 2-4,2-3)
Benedictine 61, Warner Robins 0
Benedictine (4-2,2-0) showed its championship form in a statement win Friday night. Quarterback Stephen Cannon played only the first half but still went 5-of-7 for 117 yards and three touchdowns, adding 53 rushing yards on four carries. Bubba Frazier caught touchdown passes of 52 and 42 yards, while Bennett Conaway hauled in a 4-yard score.
The Cadets’ ground game was just as explosive. Stanley Smart Jr. broke loose for a 33-yard TD run, Josh Washington added a 47-yard score, and Cole Henderson capped it with a 48-yard run. Omari Burse connected with Ca’Ron Hall on a 19-yard touchdown strike, and Parker Lewis was perfect on eight extra-point attempts while adding a 33-yard field goal. Defensive end LaDamion Guyton had four tackles for losses. (Stats via Savannah Morning News sports reporter Dennis Knight)
Coach Danny Britt’s Quote: “We did exactly what we should’ve done Friday versus Warner Robins. We handled business by playing hard and fast. Hopefully we’ll continue to do that weekly.”
Next: Oct. 17 vs. Wayne County (1-6,1-1)
Bethesda 50, Beaufort Academy 0
Bethesda(5-0,1-0) dominated from start to finish, capitalizing on a fourth-and-1 stop at the 40-yard line that flipped the game early. Quarterback Jordan Turner completed six of seven passes for 182 yards and four touchdowns. Ralo Wesley caught three passes for 88 yards and three scores, while Ka’Mond Young had two receptions for 84 yards and a TD, adding eight tackles and an interception on defense. Isaiah Jones scored twice on defense — one on a fumble return and another off a blocked punt — and also forced a fumble. Malachi Morris added a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown, and Hociel Garcia went 5-for-6 on PATs.
Turning Point (Coach Antwan Turner): “Due to penalties, we had to start the drive on the 5-yard line. However, they were able to drive the ball 95 yards for a touchdown.”
Coach Antwan Turner’s Quote: “Blazers were firing on all cylinders! The defense stepped up big and we were able to create turnovers. Our special teams scored twice and our offense controlled the ball all night. Great team performance.”
Looking Ahead: “We must stay the course and prepare for Dillon Christian Academy in a region game this week,” Turner said.
Next: Oct. 10 at Dillion Christian (2-4,1-0)
Screven County 19, Bryan County 9
Bryan County battled hard in a defensive game decided by special teams. Screven County’s touchdown return on a missed field goal proved the difference. Gerbravion Collins carried 14 times for 136 yards and a TD, while Buck McKinney added 66 yards on 11 carries. Eli Koskela recorded nine tackles and two tackles for loss, with Zane Renteria adding nine tackles and three TFLs.
Coach Tim Adams’ Quote: “Special teams mistake was crucial factor in the game.”
Looking Ahead: “At MCA,” said Adams.
Next: Oct. 10 at McIntosh County Academy (2-4,1-3)
Calvary Day 47, Long County 13
Calvary Day set the tone early on defense and never looked back. Quarterback James Mobley IV completed 15 of 21 passes for 331 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Jalen Hicks had seven catches for 88 yards and two rushing TDs, while LaVon Owens had four receptions for 97 yards. Ty Pinckney and MJ Knight Jr. also caught touchdowns, and Zay Middleton rushed for 80 yards and a TD. Defensively, Emerson Lewis (10 tackles) and Davis Witherington (8 tackles) led the way, while Shawn Williams and Justin Washington each had interceptions. Grady Shiver contributed six touchbacks, an onside kick recovery, and a field goal.
Turning Point (Coach Jason Cameron): “After a score, Calvary executed a perfect onside kick which led to a score.”
Coach Jason Cameron’s Quote: “We really challenged the defense to have a dominating performance and they did that. We wanted to get that dominant mentality back and pushed our guys really hard the last two weeks and they responded phenomenally.”
Looking Ahead: “Islands High School,” Cameron said.
Next: October. 9 at Islands (1-5,1-4) at Islands Stadium
Jenkins 48, Windsor Forest 6
Jenkins (5-1,5-0) exploded for 35 first-half points and cruised past Windsor Forest (1-5,0-5) with an efficient offensive display. Quarterback Demetrius Holloway Jr. went 6-of-7 for 70 yards and a touchdown. Dominique Johnson Jr. scored three different ways — receiving, rushing, and returning — totaling 157 return yards and three total TDs. Jaylon Elliott rushed for 56 yards and two touchdowns, while Ke’Mari Wright and Ryan Scott added scoring runs. Defensively, Aujshawn Izzard and Zhire Sanders combined for four sacks and multiple tackles for loss. (Stats via Savannah Morning News sports reporter Dennis Knight)
Windsor Forest Recap:
Despite the loss, Windsor Forest showed fight and improvement on offense. Sophomore quarterback Jr Rowland threw for 152 yards and a touchdown. Dwane Franklin, also a sophomore, turned in the highlight of the night with his first career touchdown — a 42-yard run — finishing with three carries for 60 yards (20.0 avg). Ja’Shawn Green rushed eight times for 36 yards, Jayden Thomas added 37 yards on three carries, Ramir Richardson had 30 yards on two carries, and Kamari Duncan added a 15-yard run.
Coach Zane Rowland’s Quote: “Jenkins had a good game plan for us and executed well. We did some good things offensively as well. Proud of our group. Despite the scoreboard, we have really been putting things together offensively and looking better each week. Proud of the continued growth and buy-in of the group. We have to clean up silly mistakes and penalties, and we will have a good stretch in the last four games, I believe.”
Looking Ahead: “Long County. Just have to continue to build on what we are establishing week to week. Proud of the guys who have stuck through a lot of adversity this season,” said Rowland.
Next: Oct. 10 Jenkins hosts vs. Southeast Bulloch (4-3, 4-2) at Memorial Stadium, Windsor Forest at Long County (4-2,3-2)
Liberty County 35, Johnson 20
Elijah Brown powered Liberty County’s (6-1,5-1) offense with 26 carries for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback JaEir Roberts threw two TD passes — one to AJ Garlin and another to Montavious Johnson — while Zorrion Green led the defense with eight tackles, two TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. Johnson’s Shamari King threw for 153 yards and two TDs and added 82 rushing yards and a score.
Coach Tony Glazer’s Quote: “We need to continue to work on getting better. Our special teams were not up to our standards. Offensive line blocked well and controlled the line of scrimmage.”
Looking Ahead: “Groves,” said Glazer.
Next: Oct. 10 at Groves (0-6,0-5) at Garden City Stadium
Richmond Hill 24, Camden County 20
Richmond Hill (6-1,2-0) pulled off a big region win despite missing nine starters. Jaylon Deal led the defense with 21 tackles (12 solo, 9 assists), two forced fumbles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and an interception. Cannon Kuryla hit three PATs and a 42-yard field goal while recovering a fumble. On offense, Amire Miller (43 yards, TD) and CJ Menzie (45 yards, TD) provided balance, while MJ Muhammad added a rushing TD and six receptions for 52 yards.
Coach Matt LeZotte’s Quote: “With so many injuries, it really came down to guys stepping up and answering the call. That’s what great teams do — they trust their preparation, they trust each other, and they play for the name on the front of the jersey. I’m proud of the way our players responded.”
Looking Ahead: “Next week we face Valdosta High School — a great football team with a lot of weapons on both sides of the ball. We’ll need another strong week of preparation, a solid game plan, and great execution from our players to compete at a high level,” said LeZotte.
Next: Oct. 10 at Valdosta (6-1,1-1)
Savannah Christian 42, Savannah Country Day 7
Savannah Christian’s (4-3,1-0) balanced attack and physical defense overwhelmed the Hornets. Quarterback Blaise Thomas went 9-of-11 for 242 yards and two touchdowns while adding 58 yards rushing. Freshman Wesley Dinkins rushed for 110 yards and a score, while Cam Yeldell and Weston Hughes combined for 244 receiving yards and two TDs. Athen Hudspeth scored three times — twice on the ground and once on a fake field goal. Karson Leake went 6-for-6 on PATs with a touchback, and Davian Melton made nine tackles and a sack.
Turning Point (Coach Baker Woodward): “Big turning point in the game was right before the half — we faked a field goal and Athen Hudspeth dove into the end zone to make the score 28-7 as the horn sounded for halftime.”
Coach Baker Woodward’s Quote: “Very proud of our Raiders! We have faced a lot of adversity and tough competition this year but our boys have continued to trust in each other, our coaches, our school, community, and most importantly God’s plan.”
Looking Ahead: “We have to travel to Vidalia to play our second region game. Vidalia is a great program that is very well-coached. Will be a tough environment to play in,” Woodward said.
Savannah Country Day Recap
Despite the loss, Savannah Country Day (2-4,0-1) showed offensive growth and moved the ball effectively at times. Sophomore quarterback Devin Trawick completed 9-of-19 passes for 111 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while rushing nine times for 81 yards. Wide receiver James Pannell caught seven passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Running back Thomas Holland carried 11 times for 41 yards.
The Hornets totaled 188 yards of offense (111 passing, 77 rushing) and produced several long drives in the first half before being stymied by the Raiders’ defense.
Coach Joey Blackmore’s Quote: “Give Savannah Christian a lot of credit — they came out firing on all cylinders and took advantage of our defensive scheme with precision. Once behind, we struggled to create the explosives needed to bridge the gap.”
Looking Ahead: “Swainsboro High School — discipline in the fundamentals,” said Blackmore.
Next: Oct. 10 Savannah Christian at Vidalia (1-5,0-0), Savannah Country Day home vs. Swainsboro (6-1,0-1)
South Effingham 34, Greenbrier 28 (OT)
South Effingham (3-3,3-1) jumped out early and held off Greenbrier in an overtime thriller. Quarterback Liam Coburn threw three touchdown passes and scored the game-winning rushing TD in overtime. Khyran White piled up 237 rushing yards and a long touchdown run. Benja Crofts, Corey Woods, and Jayden Hair each caught TD passes, while James Brooks made a key interception.
Coach Dustin Neal’s Quote: “I’m proud of our kids for starting fast, getting punched in the mouth, and then finishing the game to get a win!”
Looking Ahead: “Glynn Academy — just have to keep this momentum rolling,” Neal said.
Next: Oct. 10 at Glynn Academy (4-3, 3-2)
St. Andrew’s 42, Harvest Community (FL) 0
St. Andrew’s (3-4, 0-0) returned home and delivered one of its most complete performances of the season, rolling to a 42-0 shutout of Harvest Community from Jacksonville. According to Lions head coach Wes Worthington, the Lions dominated up front, mixing the run and pass, and never allowed the visitors to settle in.
Pat Jackson led the offense, completing 4-of-7 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown while adding 60 rushing yards and another score. Darius Chapman ran for 125 yards and a TD on 13 carries, and Amari Cook filled the stat sheet with 120 receiving yards, a touchdown catch, and two rushing scores. Landen Buchmann added a short-yardage touchdown run.
Defensively, the Lions were relentless. Jack Kelley had two sacks and three tackles for loss, Joe Frazar finished with eight total tackles, and Chapman added a sack and an interception returned 26 yards. Cook capped his stellar night with a 37-yard interception return.
Coach Wes Worthington’s Quote: “I’m extremely proud of the resilience of our young men and those that have stuck with the program through thick and thin. This was a team victory and I’m extremely happy for the seniors after coming off a tough loss on the road last week. We’re excited to get into region play and find out who we can be as a TEAM. Go Lions!”
Next: Oct. 10 hosting Pinewood Christian (3-4, 0-0), 7 pm at Daffin Park
Also Noted
SE Bulloch 55, Groves 16
ECI 37, Savannah High 0
Ware County 57, New Hampstead 19
Brunswick 60, Bradwell 14
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Photo Credit: lensbyshaunce_
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