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In the end, it wasn’t what was expected from a GHSA Class A-3A quarterfinal battle between two-time defending state champion Prince Avenue Christian at Calvary Day’s Specialty Sports Complex Friday night.

The team’s combined 40 points in the third quarter was enough evidence.
    
Instead, it turned into a slugging shootout in which Prince Avenue (9-3) landed more blows in an unsuspecting 61-39 victory over Calvary Day. For the Cavaliers, it was their 10th quarterfinal appearance in 12 years, and they ended their season with an overall 10-2 mark, losing for the first time in 10 weeks.
    
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, the game also marked the end for legendary Calvary head coach Mark Stroud, who recently announced his retirement, Stroud had two stints at the corner of 63rd Street and Paulson who posted an overall 158-43 mark at school, part of his 33 years in the coaching ranks. 
    
Calvary lost two costly fumbles in the opening half that led to scores, and they also were flagged for their share of untimely penalties (12-145 overall). The Cavaliers also had trouble finding their rhythm throughout the game.
    
After trailing 20-6 after the first quarter and looking like it could be a long night ahead, Calvary battled back with a pair of scores to close the gap to 27-20 at the half.
    
“It was a wild one,” offered Stroud. “We just couldn’t get our composure at times, and we were a little bit unsettled. We also turned the ball over, and good teams will make you pay for it. 
    
“Our kids fought and we were two pretty evenly matched teams. We made a couple of runs, but we couldn’t stop them when we needed to, especially their running back.”
    
Calvary didn’t have any answers for Prince Avenue running back Andrew Beard, who ran for 349 yards on 33 carries with four touchdowns on runs of four, 50, 92, and 38. 

Beard sealed the game with his 92-yard burst up the sideline and then added a 38-yard scamper that gave the visiting Wolverines their 22-point cushion in the final quarter after Calvary closed to within 48-39 to close the third quarter. 

It deflated the Cavaliers the rest of the way, and they also lost starting quarterback James Mobley IV, who threw four touchdown passes, in the third quarter with an injury.

Georgia recruit Thomas Blackshear provided plenty of firepower with four touchdowns for the Cavaliers, who trailed after they knotted the game at 6-6 in the opening quarter.
    
Blackshear caught touchdown passes of 50, 20, and 51 yards from Mobley as he outraced double-coverage down the sidelined on all perfectly placed balls from Mobley. The Cavaliers’ playmaker also powered his way into the end zone on a two-yard run.
    
Edward “Doopah” Coleman also had a big night, as he returned a kickoff 67 yards for a score, and he darted 60 yards with a pass from Mobley for a touchdown.
     

Photo by RDP Productions - Doopah Coleman

Defensive lineman Walter "Buddy" Mathis, Jr., who had eight tackles and is headed to LSU next year, knew his team had a rough task, but he likes the future of his returning teammates. 
    
“We couldn’t stop the run, and he (Beard) is a special running back,” said Mathis. “The comeback sparked something, but we couldn’t close it out. 

Photo by RDP Productions - Buddy Mathis Jr. 

 “I think next year’s team will win it all. They will pick up when we left off. We had a good season even though it ended up short. I know I have to step up my game next year, and I want to be one of the best freshman in college football.”

Coleman had some similar battles in the past, and he also was grateful for his coach’s guidance and support over the years.
    
“We have been in situations like this in the past, and coach Stroud always told us to stay levelheaded, not being too high or too low,” said Coleman, who plans to announce his commitment in February. “We tried our hardest out there, but we didn’t get the outcome.
    
“Playing for coach Stroud was a good experience. He showed tough love and regular love, and it was a great feeling to be congratulated by him. He taught me a lot of things outside of football and taught me to be a better young man.
    
As for Stroud, the feeling hasn’t quite hit.
    
“I haven’t thought about it yet,” he added. “I know it will. I am just grateful for everything here at Calvary.”

Photo by RDP Productions - Thomas Blackshear

PHOTO CREDIT: RDP Productions LLC for the Prep Sports Report

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Optim Orthopedics is a familiar face on Savannah's prep sports scene, extending their support from the gridiron to the court. Their dedication to local athletes goes beyond logos, offering crucial medical support to nine powerhouse high schools:

• Dr. Don Aaron: Bryan County Middle/High School
• Dr. David Sedory: Benedictine Military, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County
• Dr. David Palmer: Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham
• Dr. Thomas Alexander: Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent's

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