The Prep Sports Report continues its look at Greater Savannah high school football with Part III, and this time we’re looking at Class 5A and 4A.
Let’s start with Benedictine and Jenkins.
Both are coming off big seasons. Benedictine went 11-3, Jenkins went 12-2, and both have some key players back. And if you’re looking ahead on the schedule, they meet Oct. 9 at Memorial Stadium.
That should be a good one.
Groves is also in Class 5A this season, with Howard Jordan taking over as the Rebels’ new head coach.
Class 4A has three local teams: Liberty County, New Hampstead, and Windsor Forest.
Liberty County is coming off a seven-win season. New Hampstead is trying to bounce back after going 2-8. Windsor Forest has a new head coach in Willie Martin and a new quarterback in his son, Jayden.
So there are many different storylines in this group.
Can Benedictine and Jenkins do it again? What does Groves look like under Jordan? And which of those three Class 4A teams makes the biggest move?
Here’s Part III of our 2026 Greater Savannah high school football preseason capsules.
GHSA CLASS 5A
BENEDICTINE
Mascot: Cadets
Location: Savannah
Head coach: Danny Britt
Record at school/years: 164-37/16th season
Overall coaching record/years: 196-59/20 seasons
2025 overall/region records: 11-3/5-0 Region 1-4A
Key returning players: RB Stanley Smart, WR Cole Henderson, WR/DB Eron Mallard, QB Omari Burse, DB Johnathan Black, DL Gavin Smith, DL Isaac Scott III, OL Noah Brainard, OL Reef Leonard
Key losses: WR Bubba Frazier, WR Josh Washington, LB Larson Little, QB Stephen Cannon, LB Jayden Houston, DB Wyatt Estabrook, DL Kam Cody, OL Carlton Hall
Coach’s quote: “I think physicality. Can we continue to be physical and stay healthy doing that? I think we’re going to be a little bit different team than we were. That happens. We have been the past couple of years and a little bit not as deep. We need to be very physical in our play and how we play, but we also need to stay healthy doing that.
“It’s a balance. It’s a mindset. We have to have the mindset without forcing it in them. In other words, we’re not deep enough to force it into practice because we can’t afford to get people hurt. There’s two ways to gain physicality: just force it and keep doing it and they callus to it. That’s what they’re used it. Or develop the mindset with them wanting to do it.” – Benedictine coach Danny Britt
2026 Schedule
Aug. 21 — Toombs County (MS)
Aug. 28 — Hebron Christian (MS)
Sept. 4 — Camden County (MS)
Sept. 18 — at Statesboro *
Sept. 25 — at Richmond Academy *
Oct. 2 — Evans (MS) *
Oct. 9 — Jenkins (MS) *
Oct. 23 — Wayne County (MS) *
Oct. 29, Thursday — Groves (MS) *
Nov. 6 — at Ware County *
*Region 1-5A game
ROBERT W. GROVES
Mascot: Rebels
Location: Garden City
Coach: Howard Jordan
Record at school: 0-0
Career record: 0-0
2025 Team Record: 0-10
Who are your key returning players (positions, first name, last name)?
RB Taff James; OL Jaydin Miller; QB DJ Ferraro; WR/DB Jamorri Mozone; LB Jabaray Pinckney; DE/H-back Jaelyn Cooper; ATH Jeremiah Johnson.
Who are key players new to the 2026 team (positions, first name, last name)?
ATH Shawn Porter.
In your opinion, what will be the biggest key to your squad's success this season, both on and off the field?
Discipline, consistency.
Any other information you may want the public to know about your team:
“We will compete!”
At Media Day, Jordan reported 45 players on the roster and 12 returning starters. He said Groves is going back to the basics and concentrating on growth and development in his first season.
2026 Schedule
Aug. 21 — Islands (GS)
Aug. 28 — at Brunswick
Sept. 3, Thursday — Beach (GS)
Sept. 18 — at Ware County *
Sept. 25 — Jenkins (GS) *
Oct. 2 — Statesboro (GS) *
Oct. 9 — at Wayne County *
Oct. 23 — Richmond Academy (GS) *
Oct. 29, Thursday — at Benedictine (MS) *
Nov. 6 — Evans (GS) *
H.V. JENKINS
Mascot: Warriors
Location: Savannah
Coach: Tony Welch
Record at school: 34-26
Career record: 72-82
2025 Team Record: 12-2
Who are your key returning players (positions, first name, last name)?
OL/DL Alexander Harris; LB Brandon Brown; Ronnie Taylor; QB Ba’Nari Mells; QB Jalon Cooksey.
Harris was identified at Media Day as an offensive and defensive lineman committed to West Georgia. Welch also discussed several other returning players, but portions of the transcript are not clear enough to confidently correct every name.
In your opinion, what will be the biggest key for your team's success this season, both on and off the field?
Welch said his players have a “chance and a choice.” The decisions they make have to be great, not simply good. He emphasized how players conduct themselves in the classroom, away from school, and on the football field, as well as being competitive, tough, and accountable.
Any other information you may want the public to know about your team:
Jenkins enters 2026 coming off a 12-2 season. Welch said the Warriors’ goal remains making the state playoffs every year while continuing to test themselves against high-level competition.
2026 Schedule
Aug. 21 — at Lowndes
Aug. 28 — at Calvary Day
Sept. 4 — at Richmond Hill
Sept. 18 — Evans (MS) *
Sept. 25 — at Groves (GS) *
Oct. 2 — at Wayne County *
Oct. 9 — at Benedictine (MS) *
Oct. 23 — at Ware County *
Oct. 30 — Statesboro (MS) *
Nov. 6 — Richmond Academy (MS) *
GHSA CLASS 4A
LIBERTY COUNTY
Mascot: Panthers
Location: Hinesville
Head coach: Tony Glazer
Record at school/years: 22-23/fifth season
Overall coaching record/years: 23-32/five
2025 overall/region records: 7-4/6-3 Region 3-3A
Key returning players: WR Aaron Brown, sr.; OL/DT Charlie Roberson, sr.; DB Ny’Kiem Ezell, sr.; OL Carson Carter, sr.
Key losses: RB Elijah Brown, LB Tyreese Alexis, DL Christian Hines
Coach’s quote: “Taking care of what we control. Win the turnover battle and be more disciplined so we limit the self-inflicted penalties.” – Liberty County coach Tony Glazer.
2026 Schedule
Aug. 21 — at Wayne County
Aug. 28 — at Richmond Hill
Sept. 4 — at Johnson (GS)
Sept. 11 — MCA
Sept. 25 — New Hampstead *
Oct. 2 — at Windsor Forest * (GS)
Oct. 9 — Long County *
Oct. 16 — at Southeast Bulloch *
Oct. 23 — West Laurens *
Oct. 30 — at Harlem *
*Region 3-4A game
NEW HAMPSTEAD
Mascot: Phoenix
Location: Bloomingdale
Coach: Kyle Hockman
Record at school: 35-35
Career record: 173-74
2025 Team Record: 2-8 overall; 1-4 region
Who are your key returning players (positions, first name, last name)?
RB Christian Kinlaw; LB David Kirkland; DL Joshua Bey; WR Mekhi Lynn; OL Michael Bryant.
Who are key players new to the 2026 team (positions, first name, last name)?
QB Antonio Benton; OL James Gerald.
In your opinion, what will be the biggest key to your squad's success this season, both on and off the field?
“The amount of mental ework that we have imposed onto the team has shown so much growth in the maturation of the guys.”
Any other information you may want the public to know about your team:
Hockman was unable to attend Media Day, so assistant coach William Wallace represented the Phoenix. Wallace said New Hampstead needs to seize opportunities, execute when they arise, maintain its composure through adversity, and play four solid quarters of football.
The Phoenix also return considerable experience up front. James Gerald, Michael Bryant, Jalen Williams and Antonio Washington represented the offensive line at Media Day, with Wallace saying all had varsity experience.
2026 Schedule
Aug. 21 — at Bradwell
Aug. 27, Thursday — Appling County (PS)
Sept. 4 — at Effingham County
Sept. 11 — Harris County (PS)
Sept. 25 — at Liberty County *
Oct. 2 — West Laurens (PS) *
Oct. 16 — Windsor Forest (PS) *
Oct. 23 — Long County (PS) *
Oct. 30 — at SE Bulloch *
Nov. 6 — at Harlem *
WINDSOR FOREST
Mascot: Knights
Location: Savannah
Coach: Willie Martin
Record at school: 0-0
Career record: 0-0
2025 Team Record: 4-6
Who are your key returning players (positions, first name, last name)?
CB Jaimor Duncan; ATH Kamari Duncan; WR Dwane Franklin; OL Amani McKinney.
Who are key players new to the 2026 team (positions, first name, last name)?
ATH/QB Jayden Martin; RB Jaimeer Duncan.
In your opinion, what will be the biggest key to your squad's success this season, both on and off the field?
“Staying healthy. As long as we have our guys, we will be a scary team to go up against.”
Any other information you may want the public to know about your team:
“There is a new standard at Windsor Forest High School.”
Martin delivered the same message at Media Day, highlighting discipline and accountability as he takes over the program.
The Knights expect speed to be one of their strengths. Martin discussed Jayden Martin moving to quarterback, Jaimeer Duncan as a physical runner, Franklin as a receiving threat, and McKinney as a leader of a young offensive line.
2026 Schedule
Aug. 21 — Beach (IS)
Aug. 28 — at Tattnall County
Sept. 4 — South Effingham (SHS)
Sept. 18 — at Bryan County
Oct. 2 — Liberty County * (GS)
Oct. 9 — SE Bulloch * (IS)
Oct. 16 — at New Hampstead (PS) *
Oct. 23 — Harlem * (IS)
Oct. 30 — at Long County *
Nov. 6 — at West Laurens *
Coming next: Part IV of the Prep Sports Report preseason series continues our trip through Greater Savannah with the GHSA Class 3A and Class 2A teams.
Photos courtesy of Georgia Helmet Project
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To share scores, story ideas, or corrections, email kdemasi@prepsportsreport.com or text 912.507.9158.
Optim Orthopedics presents Prep Sports Report’s 2026 high school football coverage.
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).
