If you’re one of those fans already counting the days until football season, here’s some good news.
You don’t have to wait much longer.
High school football teams around the Savannah area will start lining up for preseason scrimmages as early as July 31. The games won’t count in the standings, but they matter. Coaches get to see who is ready. Players get to hit somebody in a different jersey. Fans get their first taste of Friday night football.
Bethesda Academy gets things started on July 31, hosting Pinewood Prep at 7:30 p.m. The Blazers will be back at home on Aug. 7 against Islands High School.
The preseason schedule picks up Aug. 6 as Bryan County travels to Groves for a 6 p.m. scrimmage against Beach. Jenkins and Savannah Country Day will meet at Savannah High at 7 p.m., while Effingham County travels to Screven County.
The big night is Aug. 7.
Benedictine will hit the road to face Summerville High School in Summerville, South Carolina. That is no small test. The Green Wave is one of the most historic high school football programs in the country and a long tradition of championship-level football. It should be a good early measuring stick for the Cadets.
Calvary will travel to Ashley Ridge in South Carolina, while Richmond Hill will see Glynn Academy and Pierce County in a multi-team scrimmage. Savannah High and Windsor Forest will meet at Islands, and Groves will host Liberty County.
Savannah Christian also has two big preseason dates, facing Bluffton on Aug. 7 and New Hampstead on Aug. 13 at Pooler Stadium.
On Aug. 14, Bryan County hosts Hardeeville, Bradwell hosts county rival Liberty County, and St. Andrew’s takes on Porter Gaud.
It’s only scrimmage football, sure.
But around here, football is football.
The pads are coming out. Cheerleaders are getting their routines ready, bands are warming up, and fans are starting to circle Friday nights on the calendar.
And that means the season is almost here.
2026 SAVANNAH AREA FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE SCHEDULE
July 31
Bethesda Academy vs. Pinewood Prep, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 6
Beach vs. Bryan County at Groves, 6 p.m.
Effingham County at Screven County, Time TBA
Jenkins vs. Savannah Country Day at Savannah High, 7 p.m.
Aug. 7
Benedictine at Summerville (S.C.), 7:30 p.m.
Bethesda Academy vs. Islands, 7:30 p.m.
Calvary at Ashley Ridge (S.C.), 6 p.m.
Groves vs. Liberty County, 7:30 p.m.
Johnson at Southeast Bulloch, 7:30 p.m.
Richmond Hill vs. Glynn Academy and Pierce County, time TBA.
Savannah Christian vs. Bluffton at Pooler Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Savannah High vs. Windsor Forest at Islands, 7:30 p.m.
South Effingham vs. Statesboro, 7:30 p.m.
St. Andrew's vs. Pinewood Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 13
New Hampstead vs. Savannah Christian at Pooler Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 14
Beach at Savannah High, 7:30 p.m.
Bradwell Institute vs. Liberty County, time TBA.
Bryan County vs. Hardeeville, 7:30 p.m.
St. Andrew's vs. Porter Gaud, 7 p.m.
Photos courtesy of lensbyshaunce_
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Prep Sports Report Football Coverage Presented by Optim Orthopedics
Optim Orthopedics wants you in the game.
Keeping Savannah-area athletes healthy and ready for gameday all season long.
Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
