High school football season is about to start, and fans are already excited about the 2023 football season. This year, many teams could do big things. Three teams in the Coastal Empire are going into the season high in the preseason rankings.
One team to keep an eye on is Benedictine Military School. The Cadets are led by head Coach Danny Britt starting his 13th season with a record of 132-38 at BC (4 state titles) had another amazing year last year. The Cadets captured the Georgia High School Association Class 4A title, and that's back-to-back state titles! BC has many players back who are ready to make another run for a three-peat state championship. The team's quarterback, senior Luke Kromenhoek, a Florida State commit, is a dual-threat player who can beat teams with both his arm and legs. He will be joined by a skilled group of running backs and wide receivers led by seniors Nas Samuels and Ladon Bryant. Benedictine also has a good defensive core coming back, which senior linebackers Bryce Baker and Wilkes Albert will lead.
The Calvary Day School football team is another team to watch. The Cavaliers had another incredible year last year, and they have a legendary head coach, Mark Stroud (31 years/14 at CDS 126-41), who keeps the program winning year after year. There are a lot of good players on the team, like seniors Jake Merklinger at quarterback (Tenennesse commit) and tight end/wide receiver Michael Smith (South Carolina commit). The backfield will be led by junior running backs Edward "Doopah" Coleman and Thomas Blackshear. Senior wide receiver Caden Arnold will lead the wide receivers. On defense, senior linebacker Jordan Davis, juniors Buddy Mathis, a defensive lineman, and safety Sam Anderson will anchor the defense. If the Cavaliers can stay healthy and put it all together, they could make another run deep into the GHSA Class 3A playoffs and win a state title.
There are, of course, a lot of other teams that could be good this year. It would be best not to forget about another GHSA Class 3A Region 3 team Savannah Christian Preparatory School. The Raiders again went deep in the GHSA Class 3A playoffs, the quarterfinals under Head Coach Baker Woodward (45-15), who enters his sixth year. There is a lot of talent out on Chatham Parkway. The four Raiders standing out on defense and getting a lot of interest are juniors defensive end Elijah Griffin, linebacker Logan Brooking, defensive back junior Jaden Miles, and senior linebacker David Bucey (committed to South Carolina). This group will give opponents a lot of worries in the film breakdown room. On offense, junior running back Zo Smalls returns as one of the top running backs in the Coastal Empire from last year. Zo won't be under the radar this year.
Since the official GHSA preseason workouts begin less than a month away, the Prep Sports Report will have a breakdown of each team with key returning players, the coach's outlook, and schedules. So, get ready for a team preview starting next week, and all schools in the Coastal Empire will be featured. This season will have a lot of great matchups, and each will have a lot of implications. The 2023 season will be one to remember!
PHOTO CREDIT: Benedictine Military School
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Optim Orthopedics supports Benedictine Military School, South Effingham High School, Richmond Hill High School, St. Vincent's, and Savannah Country Day School athletics. Benedictine Military School's team doctor is Dr. David Sedory. The team doctor for Richmond Hill and South Effingham is Dr. David Palmer, and Dr. Thomas Alexander is the team doctor for Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!
