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Savannah, Ga. - Two Savannah-area high school flag football teams, New Hampstead High School (18-0) and Calvary Day School (17-2) punched their tickets to the Georgia High School Association State Elite Eight on Tuesday night, defeating their respective opponents in the first and second round of the playoffs.
In the New Hampstead bracket, played at Islands Stadium, the Phoenix defeated Wheeler County (8-6) 26-7 in game one, scoring 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and then shut out Long County (16-4) 21-0 in game two.
"Long County did what we thought they were going to do offensively, and we were able to shut them out," said Lanier. "In game one, Wheeler jumped out to a 7 to 6 lead and held it until the 4th quarter. We did not handle the adversity well in the first half, as we were not used to being behind. I believe the struggle in game one helped us wake up and play ball the way we know how in game two."
Quarterback Akrea Jackson led the offense, completing nine passes for 105 yards. Running Back Jade Bird scored a touchdown with a solid run, and Tight End Gianna Brown made a significant impact with three catches for 34 yards and two touchdowns. Wide Receiver Taliyah Headman also played a key role, making six catches for 71 yards.
The New Hampstead defense secured a shutout victory with interceptions from Jade Bird and Promise Cooper, propelling them into the Elite Eight of the playoffs with a chance to advance to the semifinals.
Lanier also mentioned, "Making the elite 8 is an honor. This has been an amazing ride, and we know we are more than capable of winning this whole tournament. We go off field with the saying, "Job not done," after every win and practice. That job is winning a State Championship, and after every win, we are reminded that even though these wins are enjoyable, our job is not done."
Calvary Day School had a successful game on their home turf, winning 33-0 against Kendrick in the Calvary Day School Bracket. In the second game, the Cavaliers came from behind and scored 26 unanswered points to secure their place in the Elite Eight with a 26-13 victory against Dodge County. Cavaliers Head Coach Nick Grassi was delighted with his players' performance and felt the team could compete with the top teams in the playoffs.
"Sierra Lowery took control in the second half. We made halftime adjustments, put our ears back, sent everything at Dodge's quarterback, and forced three interceptions. They only got one first down in the second half from a penalty. Lowry had two more interceptions in the second half and scored twice. Natalie Sanders, Kaelyn Allen, and Carlee Hurst each had an interception," stated Grassi. "We can play with Columbus and Pace; we need to play every game like we played in the second half tonight."
Meanwhile, Columbus High School and Southeast Bulloch High School emerged victorious in their brackets. The complete results from rounds one and two are below, but first is the list of Calvary and New Hampstead's "Elite Eight" games and their upcoming opponents are as follows:
GHSA Division 1 - Class 1-4 Flag Football - State Elite Eight:
Thursday, December 7th, 2023:
Southeast Bulloch Bracket Elite Eight and Semifinal Schedule
Game #1 Southeast Bulloch (20-0) vs. Therrell (20-2) 5:00 PM
Game #2 New Hampstead (18-0) vs. Harris County (15-1) 6:00 PM
Game #3 Winner Game #1 vs. Winner Game #2 TBA 7:00 PM
The winner advances to the GHSA Class 1-4 Flag Football Championship Game.
Thursday, December 7, 2023:
North Oconee Bracket Elite Eight and Semifinal Schedule
Game #1 Calvary Day School (17-2) vs. North Oconee (13-2) 5:30 PM
Game #2 Pace Academy (19-2) vs. Columbus (19-0) 6:30 PM
Game #3 Winner Game #1 vs. Winner Game #2 7:30 PM
The winner advances to the GHSA Class 1-4 Flag Football Championship Game.
GHSA Division 1 - Class 1-4 Flag Football - Round 1 & 2 Results:
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
New Hampstead High School Bracket Results
Game #1 Long Co. 18, Sumter 6
Game #2 New Hampstead 26, Wheeler Co.7
Game # 3 New Hampstead 21, Long Co. 0
New Hampstead advances to the third round (Elite Eight) on Thursday, December 7. 2023.
Calvary Day School Bracket Results
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Game #1 Dodge Co. 19, Savannah Country Day 0
Game #2 Calvary Day 33, vs. Kendrick 0
Game # 3 Calvary Day 26, Dodge Co. 13
Calvary Day School advances to the third round (Elite Eight) on Thursday, December 7. 2023.
Columbus High School Bracket Results
Tuesday, December 5, 2023,
Game #1 Columbus 40, Islands 0 (Islands Eliminated)
Game #2 Washington Co. 33, St. Vincent's 6
Game # 3 Columbus 19, Washington Co. 0
Southeast Bulloch Bracket Results
Tuesday December 5, 2023
Game # 1 Southeast Bulloch 33, South Effingham 0
(So. Effingham eliminated)
Game # 2 Jenkins 33, Jordan High School 7
Game # 3 Southeast Bulloch 46, vs. Jenkins 0 (Jenkins eliminated)
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Optim Orthopedics supports Prep Sports and the following schools: Benedictine Military School, Bradwell Institute, Calvary Day School, Liberty County High School, Richmond Hill High School, Savannah Country Day, South Effingham High School, and St. Vincent's athletics. Benedictine Military School, Bradwell Institue, and Liberty County's team doctor is Dr. David Sedory. Dr. David Palmer is the team doctor for Calvary Day School, South Effingham, and Richmond Hill. Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game.
