The playoffs are here, and nine Savannah-area teams are ready for a big Friday night. Calvary Day, Benedictine and Bradwell Institute all enter as top-eight seeds. Bethesda Academy is in another state semifinal game. Other teams will try to make a run on the road
GHSA Class Private School
No. 8 Calvary Day (9–1) hosts No. 24 Westminster (3–7). Quarterback James Mobley IV; receivers Marlon “MJ” Knight Jr. and Ty Pinckney; running back Ca’Den Jones; defensive end Jeff McCormick; defensive lineman Buddy Curry; linebackers Kenneth Baker III and Gabe Ausfeld; and defensive back Emerson Lewis are players to watch. Fun fact: Coach Jason Cameron arrived in 2023 as an assistant with these 22 seniors. As head coach, Calvary has lost only three games under him.
No. 21 Savannah Christian (5–5) travels to No. 12 Providence Christian (6–4). Running back Wesley Dinkins, quarterback Caden Godbee, wide reciever/defensive backs Will Bucey and Cam Yeidell, and linebackers Ivyn Richardson and Aiden Frazier will lead the Raiders. Fun fact: Savannah Christian has not missed the playoffs since 2005 and has made eight straight appearances under coach Woodward.
GHSA Class AAA
No. 28 Beach (5–5) visits No. 5 Columbia (8–2). Quarterback Jayvion Williams, linebacker/runningback Jordan Newton, runningback Jacob Price, and receiver Dionte Riley are key Bulldogs. Fun fact: On Sept. 13, Beach was 2–5 and ranked No. 43 in the GHSA Postseason Rankings. The Bulldogs finished 5–5 and earned the No. 28 seed. Beach has made back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 1990.
GHSA Class AAAA
No. 26 New Hampstead (5–5) takes a four-game winning streak to No. 7 Stephenson (9–1). Watch receiver/running back Christian Kinlaw, quarterback Antonio Benton, and receiver Layne Watkins. Fun fact: New Hampstead was ranked No. 35 on Sept. 13 before winning its final four regular-season games.
GHSA Class AAAAA
No. 11 Benedictine (8–2) hosts No. 22 Whitewater (7–3). Quarterback Omari Burse, receiver Eron Mallard, running back Stanley Smart Jr., linebacker Rasheen Jackson, and defensive back Peyton Bean are Cadets to watch. Fun fact: Benedictine has not missed the playoffs since coach Danny Britt took over the program in 2011.
GHSA Class AAAAAA
No. 16 Effingham County (7–3) hosts No. 17 Roswell (7–3) in a matchup of teams with the same record. Key Rebels include quarterback Matt Dillon, running backs Jmere Doe-Davis, Jordon Mydell, and receivers Isaiah Brown and Trayvis Hunter. Fun fact: Effingham County has not missed the playoffs under coach Ford.
No. 24 South Effingham (7–3) travels to No. 9 Clarke Central (8–2). Running back Khyran White, quarterback Liam Coburn, and receiver Landyn White lead the Mustangs. Fun fact: South Effingham is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
No. 8 Bradwell Institute (8–2) hosts No. 21 Dunwoody (8–2). Quarterback Jah’barri Felix, running back Cameron Keeve, and receivers Jacobi Pasley and Carlito Savea lead the Tigers. Fun fact: Bradwell is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and has its first winning record since 2017.
GHSA Class AAAAAAA
No. 20 Richmond Hill (5–5) heads to No. 13 North Paulding (8–2). Quarterback Gunner Mobley, receiver Elias “Eli” Grant and lineman Kelvin “Tre” Brown are Wildcats to watch. Fun fact: Richmond Hill is making back-to-back playoff appearances coming out of one of the state's strongest regions.
SCISA Class AAA
Bethesda Academy (8–1) hosts Hilton Head Christian Academy (7–3) in the state semifinal. Quarterback Jordan Turner, running back Jeffrey Armstrong, receivers MJ Scott and Zhyir Witcher, and linebacker Isaiah Jones are key players for the Blazers. Fun fact: Bethesda has reached the SCISA semifinals five straight years, with three trips to the state championship game. The Blazers beat Hilton Head Christian 30–6 in the teams’ regular-season meeting.
Nine Savannah-area teams are moving on. How many will advance to the next round?
NOTE: Players to watch are based on 2026 MaxPreps stats posted, and historical fun facts are from the Georgia High School Football Historians Association.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Friday, November 13, 2026
Note: All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless posted.
GHSA Class 7A Playoffs
No. 20 Richmond Hill (5–5) at No. 13 North Paulding (8–2), Friday, Nov. 13
GHSA Class 6A Playoffs
No. 17 Roswell (7–3) at No. 16 Effingham County (7–3), Friday, Nov. 13
No. 24 South Effingham (7–3) at No. 9 Clarke Central (8–2), Friday, Nov. 13
No. 21 Dunwoody (8–2) at No. 12 Bradwell Institute (8–2), Friday, Nov. 13
GHSA Class 5A Playoffs
No. 22 Whitewater (7–3) at No. 11 Benedictine (8–2), Friday, Nov. 13
GHSA Class 4A Playoffs
No. 26 New Hampstead (5–5) at No. 7 Stephenson (9–1), Friday, Nov. 13
GHSA Class 3A Playoffs
No. 28 Beach (5–5) at No. 5 Columbia (8–2), Friday, Nov. 13
GHSA Class 2A–4A Private School Playoffs
No. 24 Westminster (3–7) at No. 9 Calvary Day (9–1), Friday, Nov. 13
No. 21 Savannah Christian (5–5) at No. 12 Providence Christian (6–4), Friday, Nov. 13
GHSA PRIVATE SCHOOL FULL BRACKET
SCISA Class AAA State Semi-Finals
Hilton Head Christian Academy (7–3) at Bethesda Academy (8–1), Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Proshot Media (proshot_sports_)
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Optim Orthopedics presents Prep Sports Report's 2026 high school football coverage.
Optim Orthopedics 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).
