In its first two games, Calvary Day once again established itself as one of the greater Savannah area’s better programs. The Cavaliers dismantled their first two opponents by a 113-14 margin.
Yet, Friday night, there was more on the line for the Cavaliers than another chance to dominate an opponent. Charlotte Christian came to the Specialty Sports Complex as the North Carolina Private School Division I state runner-up last season and a sterling 3-0 record in which they averaged 38 points per contest.
In addition, there was the matter of football pride with a North Carolina school playing a Georgia-based one. Charlotte Christian came into the game with nine state championships, their latest one in 2020, the last of four consecutive ones.
Calvary quarterback Jake Merklinger took the matter to heart and played his part in helping the Cavaliers to a convincing 41-10 victory.
Merklinger threw for 278 yards and a pair of touchdown passes as well as a pair on the ground from his 62 yards rushing. The Cavaliers played with leading receiver Thomas Blackshear and running back Edward Coleman due to injuries.
However, the senior quarterback and his teammates wanted to send a message. It didn’t take them long as the Cavaliers scored on their opening two drives – one courtesy of a recovered onsides kick by Trevor Strowbridge, who later scored one of their first touchdowns in just under five minutes for a 14-0 advantage.
From there, the Cavaliers rolled to a 35-7 halftime advantage.
“When we saw who were playing in Week Three and with them having those state championships, we knew that practice from Monday through Thursday was really important,” said Merklinger. “We came out and we were really amped up, and the energy we had carried through the first and second quarter.”
Merklinger showed his on the field when he bullied his way into the endzone on a 15-yard run in the second quarter and lost his helmet near the goal line. He sprung up from the field and voiced his pleasure at the into the Charlotte Christian defense.
Like most of his teammates, Merklinger wasn’t short on emotion. The Cavaliers were flagged for 11 penalties for 120 yards, mostly on personal fouls.
“This was extra special to me and everyone else. It wasn’t just about football in Georgia, but also in Savannah, that we do play football down here and make a name for ourselves.”
Merklinger sees his current offensive unit with unbound potential. He credited offensive coordinator Jason Cameron for his development this season.
“We’re a super athletic team, and we had two guys who have SEC offers out of our lineup tonight,” he added. “We have a lot of work to do to get to where we want. But we have the talent to get there. I feel that I am playing pretty good, and I am escaping the pocket a little bit early. I have been able to escape from the pocket as well.
Senior wide receiver Michael Smith, who caught a 66-yard touchdown and had 118 yards receiving, also saw a similar situation.
“The whole week it was about North Carolina coming to play Georgia football,” said Smith. “We knew they had a good program, and we wanted to shut the door early. Jake threw it up there for me, and he expects me to come down with it.
“We just have taken it one practice and game at a time.”
In addition to their offensive explosion, the Cavaliers had to key fourth-down stops both inside the 10-yard line that easily could have swung some momentum back the other way. Calvary’s stop on their own one-yard line resulted in a 99-yard drive that ended with Smith’s 66-yard score.
“Those were huge,” said Cavalier’s head coach Mark Stroud. “You can get such a carry over, and it’s something that you can build off your defense.”
Stroud cited their fast start as a turning point.
“I thought it was really critical,” he said. “They have some serious weapons and are a good football team. I thought we came out really strong early and had a really good pace. Our guys were on fire early, and it gave us a chance to put some distance between ourselves.
“I thought Jake had a great night tonight. He handled the pocket well, and he has worked well with coach Cameron.”
Yet, Stroud remains cautiously optimistic.
“We still have to grow, especially on our offensive and defensive line,” he added. “We have to continue to build our nucleus with our skill guys and run to the line on defense.”
Calvary Day- Charlotte Christian
Charlotte Christian 0-7-0-4- 10
Calvary Christian 14-21-7-0 -41
First Quarter
CD – Jake Merklinger 4 run (Grady Shiver kick)
CD – Trevor Strowbridge 6 run (Shiver kick)
Second Quarter
CD – Merklinger 15 run (Shiver kick)
CC – Ryan Henly 4 pass from Cameron Estop (Tripp Woody kick)
CD – Trevor Strowbridge 8 run (Shiver kick)
CD – Michael Smith 66 pass from Merklinger (Shiver kick)
Third Quarter
CD – Caden Arnold 22 pass from Merklinger (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
CC – Woody 31 FG
WEEK #4 FINAL SCORES & SCHEDULE
Sept. 7 (Thursday}
Windsor Forest 21, Islands 7
Sept. 8 (Friday)
SE Bulloch 20, Effingham County 13
South Effingham 52, Bradwell 36
Benedictine 31, Ware County 24
Camden County 51, New Hampstead 7
Calvary Day 41, Charlotte Christian (NC) 10
Claxton 35, Groves 6
Johnson 18, Brantley County 12,
Pierce County 49, Liberty County 6
Butler 20, Savannah High 0
Bethesda 34, Carolina 0
Memorial Day 28, John Paul 14
St. Andrew's 44, Hilton Head Prep 0
Sept. 9 (Saturday)
Creekside (FL) at Richmond Hill, 4 p.m.
Note: All games kickoff at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
PHOTO CREDIT: Prep SPorts Report Staff
FOLLOW the Prep Sports Report on Twitter @PrepSav, Instgram savannahsportsreport, or got a story or recap contact PSR at https://prepsportsreport.com/Contact
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.
