The Calvary Cavaliers travel to Mount Pleasant on Friday for cross-state matchup with Oceanside Collegiate Academy, a program that won South Carolina’s Class AA state championship in 2023.
The Landsharks, who moved up to South Carolina’s Class AAA this season, are led by sophomore quarterback Aiden Manavian. As a freshman, Manavian took over as the starter in the postseason and threw for more than 300 yards in the state championship victory over Gray Collegiate.
Calvary coach Mark Stroud realizes that his talented Cavaliers need to begin preparing for the caliber of teams they will face in the postseason as early as possible this season.
“You want to play a tough front-end schedule to be tested and to find out who you really are,” Stroud said. “If you don’t get tested early, it’s human nature that you might go through not taking as hard a look at yourself as you should.”
The Cavaliers are beginning their second season in AAA, coming off an undefeated regular season that ended with a heartbreaking loss to eventual Class AAA champion Cedar Grove in the state semifinal.
“You hope as you establish tradition, that kids feel they can be successful in any situation they’re put in,” Stroud said. “That’s kind of what you’re looking for in the longevity of a program, that they feel that because they are in this program, because of the tradition, that they can be successful, and that’s very meaningful as you get close to a season.”
Stroud’s team is looking to build off of their strong 2023 campaign with a road win against a tough out of state opponent in Oceanside (0-1), which has a loss to South Carolina powerhouse Irmo High School but is ranked No. 2 in South Carolina’s Class AAA by MaxPreps in the Landsharks’ first season in the larger classification.
“Oceanside is very sound on both sides of the ball,” Stroud said. “They’re well coached, they’re going to be in the right place and make you make mistakes. But we can’t let that happen.”
Calvary is primed to have one of the most dynamic offenses in the area this year, led by senior wide receiver Thomas Blackshear and promising first-year starter at quarterback, sophomore James Mobley. Blackshear, who committed to the University of Georgia in May, is ranked as a top 25 player in the state of according to On3 recruiting evalutions. Mobley is replacing former standout Jake Merklinger, who started all four years for the Cavaliers before signing with the Tennessee Volunteers as a consensus top 25 player in the state.
Another player to watch is senior Corey Blount, who will play on both sides of the ball at running back and defensive back.
“[Blount] is a guy that we’re hoping is going to have a breakout year and is going to have a great season,” Stroud said.
In Calvary’s first game, Mobley and Edward Coleman hooked up for 132 yards and a touchdown, and Coleman also scored a rushing touchdown. Mobley threw for more than 200 yards and completed better than 80% of his passes in his first game as a starter.
But the trip to Mount Pleasant should provide a much stiffer test. After winning its first game at home, the Cavaliers (1-0) will look to continue that momentum against one of the Palmetto State’s best on the road.
“We hope (the game against Oceanside) can turn into a good, long-standing rivalry between these two teams,” Stroud said.
Week 3 Schedule
Aug. 30 (Friday)
(kickoff 7:30 p.m. unless noted)
Everglades, FL at Richmond Hill, 7 p.m.
New Hampstead at Effingham County
Toombs County at South Effingham
Burke County at Benedictine (MS)
Calvary Day at Oceanside Collegiate, SC
Groves at Jenkins (SH) *
Islands at SE Bulloch *
Johnson at Long County *
Liberty County at Windsor Forest (I)*
Providence Christian at Savannah Christian (P)
Savannah Country Day at Porter Gaud, S.C.
St. Andrew's at Central Fellowship Christian
Memorial Day at Grace Christian*
Bethesda at Hilton Head Christian
Coastal Homeschool at Cathedral Academy, SC
*Region gmae
Stadium Key: P ― Pooler Stadium; MS ― Memorial Stadium; I ― Islands Stadium; SH ― Savannah High Stadium
PHOTO CREDIT: courtesy @cavalier_sports Instagram page
FOLLOW the Prep Sports Report on Twitter @PrepSav and Instagram savannahsportsreport. If you have any scores, information, or story ideas to share, please email kdemasi@prepsportsreport.com.
Optim Orthopedics generously sponsors Prep Sports Report football coverage!
Optim Orthopedics is a familiar face on Savannah's prep sports scene, extending their support from the gridiron to the court. Their dedication to local athletes goes beyond logos, offering crucial medical support to nine powerhouse high schools:
- Dr. Don Aaron: Bryan County Middle/High School
- Dr. David Sedory: Benedictine Military, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County
- Dr. David Palmer: Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham
- Dr. Thomas Alexander: Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent's
As Southeast leaders in fellowship-trained orthopedic surgery, Optim Orthopedics proudly sponsors the Prep Sports Report. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!
