GHSA REGION 3-A PRIVATE
Aquinas
Calvary Day
Savannah Christian
Savannah Country Day
CALVARY DAY SCHOOL
2020 RECORD: 9-5
HEAD COACH: Mark Stroud
POINTS SCORED: 306
POINTS AGAINST: 242
KEY PLAYERS: Jake Merklinger (QB -- So.); Troy Ford Jr. (DE/TE -- Jr.); Terry Simmons (DT -- Jr.); Juwuan Johnson (DB/WR -- Sr.); AJ Butts (LB -- So.); Brian Joiner (RB -- Sr.); Jamari Brooks (WR -- Sr.); Donovan Johnson (RB -- Fr.)
FROM THE COACH: “We have great excitement going into the season with the most players we have ever had on the (2021) roster. (We had) a great off-season, and (we have) a good core of returning players. Development of our offensive line and linebacker play will be critical (to our success).” -- Mark Stroud
The Cavs have talent aplenty returning in every class and at nearly every position. Sophomore quarterback Jake Merklinger (2,107 passing yards, 18 touchdowns in 2020) is back after leading head coach Mark Stroud’s squad to the 2020 Class A Private Final 4 as a freshman.
A pair of senior receivers -- Juwuan Johnson and Jamari Brooks -- should lead the way for the Cavs out wide. Senior Brian Joiner and freshman Donovan Johnson are slated to split the responsibility of replacing Greg Daniel (273 carries, 1,799 yards, 15 touchdowns), who is now at Army, in the Calvary backfield.
Calvary’s defense should be fun to watch.
Along the defensive line are standout juniors Terry Simmons and Troy Ford Jr. (DL/TE) and sophomore linebacker AJ Butts returns after logging 87 tackles as a freshman. Johnson, a first team All-Region 3-A Private selection as a defensive back last year, is the leader of the secondary after picking off four passes in 2020.
As a unit, Calvary picked off 14 passes last season and will return seven starters on that side of the ball from last year.
2021 Schedule
| Calvary Day School | ||||
| Cavaliers - Purple & Gold | ||||
| 8/20 | Prince Avenue Christian | |||
| 8/27 | At Bulloch Academy | |||
| 9/03 | Frederica Academy | |||
| 9/10 | At North Cobb Christian | |||
| 9/17 | At First Presbyterian | |||
| 9/24 | Strong Rock Christian | |||
| 10/01 | Stratford Academy | |||
| 10/15 | Savannah Christian | |||
| 10/22 | At Savannah Country Day | |||
| 11/05 | At Aquinas | |||
SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN
2020 RECORD: 10-2
HEAD COACH: Baker Woodward
POINTS SCORED: 412
POINTS AGAINST: 226
KEY PLAYERS: George Futch (WR/DB -- Sr.); Ely Brown (RB/ATH -- Jr.); Peyton Cromwell (LB -- Sr.); Ny’eem Wimberly (CB -- Sr.); Elijah Griffin (DE -- Fr.); Caleb Womble (DE -- Sr.); Paulus Zittrauer (QB -- Jr.)
FROM THE COACH: “We are a young team with only seven seniors, but our (participation) numbers are high this year with 55 players. Offensively, we are returning our running backs and receivers, but we will have to replace three-year starter Spencer Robicheaux at quarterback. Defensively, we should be sound with seven returning starters.” -- Baker Woodward
The Raiders have advanced to the Class A Private Elite 8 in each of the last two seasons after reaching the Final 4 in 2018 and winning the state title in 2017. Most preseason polls have SCPS back in the Class A Private top-5 heading into 2021.
Senior George Futch (47 catches, 797 yards, 12 touchdowns) and junior Ely Brown (77 carries, 531 yards, eight touchdowns, 29 receptions, 549 yards, five touchdowns) should be the focal points of an offense breaking in first-year starting quarterback Paulus Zittrauer (junior).
If the Raider offense is top-heavy in terms of talent, the defense is as deep as it is talented.
Peyton Cromwell (146 tackles) is the top returning tackler in all of Class A Private. Ashton Dorsey (105 tackles) and David Bucey (98) are also tackling machines for head coach Baker Woodward’s defense.
Freshman defensive end Elijah Griffin has a scholarship offer from the University of Georgia despite having yet to play high school football. At the other end spot, senior Caleb Womble bookends the defensive line. Cromwell (Defensive Player of the Year), Dorsey, Bucey and Womble were all first team All-Region members in 2020.
Senior Ny’eem Wimberly was second team All-Region as a cornerback last season.
2021 Schedule
| Savannah Christian | ||||
| Raiders - Red & White | ||||
| 8/20 | At Emanuel County Institute | |||
| 8/27 | Screven County (Pooler) | |||
| 9/03 | At Valwood | |||
| 9/10 | At John Milledge Academy | |||
| 9/17 | Deerfield-Windsor (Pooler) | |||
| 9/24 | At Mount de Sales Academy | |||
| 10/01 | First Presbyterian (Pooler) | |||
| 10/15 | At Calvary Day School | |||
| 10/22 | Aquinas ( Pooler) | |||
| 11/05 | At Savannah Country Day | |||
SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY
2020 RECORD: 3-6
HEAD COACH: John Mohring
POINTS SCORED: 199
POINTS AGAINST: 282
KEY PLAYERS: Barry Kleinpeter (QB -- Sr.); Kenny Odom (WR -- Sr.); Alex Wynn (WR -- Sr.); Kejuan Gibson (RB -- Sr.); Dalton Spivey (LB -- Sr.); Keith James (RB/CB -- So.); Henry Geillo (DL/OL -- Sr.)
FROM THE COACH: “We have a great group of core players who play for the guy next to them, and we will be a tough out each and every week.” -- John Mohring
The Hornets won this region in undefeated fashion in 2019 before taking a step back in 2020 en route to a 3-6 overall record. First-year head coach John Mohring (Bishop Verot HS, Fla.) takes over the program with a pair of key senior stars back on offense in quarterback Barry Kleinpeter and receiver Kenny Odom.
Both Kleinpeter and Odom were first-team All-Region 3-A Private selections last season and the duo has combined for 20 touchdowns in their three seasons together at SCDS.
Transfer senior running back Kejuan Gibson figures to play a key role in the backfield as the Hornets shift from less shotgun, to more under-center looks on the offensive side. Mohring labels the offense as a ‘pro-style’ scheme. On defense, SCDS will use a 4-3/hybrid scheme.
Sophomore athlete Keith James will get plenty of carries on offense while leading the secondary at cornerback. Senior captain Dalton Spivey anchors the linebacker unit on the defense after being named to the All-Region 3-A Private first team as a junior. Senior Henry Geillo (second team All-Region DL in 2020) should play a pivotal role along both the offensive and defensive lines.
SCDS’ season may come down to how it fares in its final two games on October 22 at home versus Calvary Day and on November 5 at home versus Savannah Christian.
2021 Schedule
| Savannah Country Day | ||||
| Hornets - Green & Gold | ||||
| 8/20 | Bulloch Academy | |||
| 8/27 | At Emanuel County Institute | |||
| 9/03 | At Beach (GC) | |||
| 9/10 | Metter | |||
| 9/17 | Tattnall Square Academy | |||
| 9/24 | At Stratford Academy | |||
| 10/01 | At Deerfield-Windsor | |||
| 10/15 | At Aquinas | |||
| 10/22 | Calvary Day School | |||
| 11/05 | Savannah Christian | |||
Follow Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Contact him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
Optim Orthopedics supports Savannah Day School athletics. Savannah Country Day's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!
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