When you think you’ve got this season figured out, Friday night comes along.
Danny Britt picked up career win No. 200 as Benedictine's head coach.
Bradwell and Brunswick combined for 106 points. Liberty County turned 28.9 seconds into one of the season's wildest finishes, while Effingham County won its fourth straight and South Effingham answered its first loss with 46 points.
Calvary Day’s James Mobley IV threw five touchdown passes. Savannah Christian opened region play with a shutout. Bethesda bounced back in a big way, and Jenkins made that 0-3 start seem like a long time ago.
Now Benedictine and Jenkins are both 3-0 in region play and headed straight for each other Friday night at Memorial Stadium.
October football is here. Let’s get to the Monday Huddle.
1ST QUARTER | THE BIG STORIES
NO. 200 FOR DANNY BRITT
We’ll start at Memorial Stadium, where Benedictine beat Evans 48-10. But the biggest number Friday night wasn’t 48. It was 200.
Danny Britt picked up career victory No. 200, improving his career record to 200-60. He has 168 of those wins in 16 seasons at Benedictine, along with four state championships in 2014, 2016, 2021 and 2022.
Benedictine football players and coaches celebrate head coach Danny Britt’s 200th career victory following the Cadets’ 48-10 win over Evans. (Photo courtesy of Benedictine Senior Director of Communications Noell Barnidge)
Afterward, Britt put the attention on the coaches who have been beside him for years and the players who helped get him there. That’s probably the best way to explain 200 wins. A lot of people have to be pulling in the same direction for a long time.
Benedictine is now 5-1 overall and 3-0 in Region 1-5A. And waiting Friday night is another Savannah team with a 3-0 region record. Jenkins.
JENKINS ISN’T 0-3 ANYMORE
Remember that 0-3 start? Jenkins has made it pretty easy to forget.
The Warriors went to Wayne County and came home with a 47-6 win. That’s three straight victories, and more importantly, Jenkins is now 3-0 in Region 1-5A.
Alex Ellison scored twice, Jaylon Elliott broke a 70-yard touchdown run, and Tasean Rhodes scored on the ground and through the air. Kayce Holt added a pick-six for a Jenkins team that has found its stride at the right time.
Now comes Benedictine. Both teams are 3-0 in the region, and both have won three straight. No need to dress that one up. Friday night should be fun.
4.4 SECONDS WAS ENOUGH
Windsor Forest scored with 28.9 seconds left to take its first lead over Liberty County, 19-17. At that point, you could understand if everybody at Groves Stadium thought the Knights had just won the football game. Aaron Brown had other ideas.
Brown returned the ensuing kickoff 64 yards, putting Liberty County right back in business. Jaeir Roberts then found Myson Benjamin for a 24-yard touchdown with 4.4 seconds left, and the Panthers walked out with a 24-19 win.
That’s a tough way for Windsor Forest to lose one and a heck of a way for Liberty County to win one. The Panthers are 3-3 overall, but what matters now is 2-0 in Region 3-4A. Play until the clock says zero.
SOUTH EFFINGHAM ANSWERS
We wanted to see how South Effingham would respond after their first loss. The Mustangs gave us an answer.
South Effingham beat Lakeside-Evans 46-21, scoring 32 points in the second half. Khyran White ran for 117 yards and a touchdown, while Liam Coburn threw for 142 yards and two scores. Jackson McClure caught six passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.
The Mustangs are 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Region 1-6A. Now they get a week off, and so does Effingham County.
Then the two meet Oct. 16. We’ll save that one for next week.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY MAKES IT FOUR
Effingham County started 0-2. Since then, the Rebels haven’t lost.
They jumped out 22-0 at Glynn Academy, watched the Terrors come back to take a 25-22 lead, then answered with two fourth-quarter touchdowns for a 36-25 region win.
That’s four straight for Effingham County, now 4-2 overall, 3-0 in Region 1-6A and sitting in first place. The Rebels get this week off before facing rival South Effingham on Oct. 16.
A slow start doesn’t mean much if you figure things out. Right now, the Rebels look like they have.
CALVARY KEEPS ROLLING
Another Friday. Another big night for James Mobley IV
Calvary Day went to Metter and came home with a 54-7 region win. Mobley completed 13 of 20 passes for 311 yards and a career-high five touchdown passes.
The Cavaliers got one on special teams, too. Emerson Lewis blocked a punt, and Jeffrey McCormick scooped it up and took it in for his first career touchdown.
Calvary is 5-1 overall and 1-0 in region play. That’s taking care of business.
SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN GETS STARTED
Savannah Christian had been waiting to get into region play. The Raiders didn’t waste much time once they got there.
SCPS beat Savannah High 44-0 behind a balanced offense and a defense that didn’t give up a point. Wesley Dinkins carried 10 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while Caden Godbee completed 9 of 15 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. William Bucey caught four passes for 77 yards and a score.
The defense did its part, too. Aiden Frazier finished with 12 tackles, including nine solo stops, while Jameer Jackson had nine tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown.
One region game. One region win.
Now the Raiders get Metter at Pooler Stadium.
2ND QUARTER | ROLL CALL BY THE NUMBERS
Week 7 gave us plenty of numbers. Let’s start at the top and work our way down.
478 TOTAL YARDS, 7 TDs — Jah’Barri Felix, Bradwell Institute
Felix threw for 355 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another 123 yards and three scores in Bradwell’s 57-49 win over Brunswick. Seven touchdowns in one night will get you to the top of the Roll Call.
311 PASSING YARDS, 5 TDs — James Mobley IV, Calvary Day
Mobley completed 13 of 20 passes and threw a career-high five touchdown passes in Calvary’s 54-7 win over Metter.
276 PASSING YARDS, 2 TDs — Jayvion Williams, Beach
Williams threw for 276 yards, including 38- and 40-yard touchdown passes, in Beach’s loss at Pierce County.
229 TOTAL YARDS, 2 TDs — Jacobi Pasley, Bradwell Institute
Pasley caught eight passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns and added 23 yards rushing.
154 RUSHING YARDS, 1 TD — Don’Trey Ford, Benedictine
Ford needed only seven carries to get his 154 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown run. He also caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Omari Burse.
144 RUSHING YARDS, 2 TDs — Wesley Dinkins, Savannah Christian
Dinkins carried 10 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns as the Raiders opened region play with a shutout win.
135 RUSHING YARDS, 2 TDs — Noel Best, Liberty County
Best carried 25 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game in the third quarter.
135 RUSHING YARDS, 2 TDs — Pat Jackson, St. Andrew’s
Jackson continued to put up numbers for the Lions, rushing for 135 yards and two scores.
134 PASSING YARDS, 1 TD — Caden Godbee, Savannah Christian
Godbee completed 9 of 15 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown.
117 RUSHING YARDS, 1 TD — Khyran White, South Effingham
White carried 21 times for 117 yards and a touchdown as the Mustangs bounced back with a 46-21 win.
108 RECEIVING YARDS, 1 TD — Jackson McClure, South Effingham
McClure caught six passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.
100 RUSHING YARDS, 2 TDs — Omari Burse, Benedictine
Burse reached 100 yards on just five carries and scored twice. He also threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Don’Trey Ford.
93 RUSHING YARDS, 1 TD — Stanley Smart Jr., Benedictine
Smart carried 11 times for 93 yards and got the Cadets started with a 12-yard touchdown run. He now has 774 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season.
77 RECEIVING YARDS, 1 TD — William Bucey, Savannah Christian
Bucey caught four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.
4 TD PASSES — MATTHEW DILLON, EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Dillon threw four touchdown passes, including the 70-yard go-ahead strike to Malik Letman in the fourth quarter.
3 TD CATCHES — ISAIAH BROWN, EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Brown caught touchdown passes of 23, 43 and 53 yards, all in the first 10 minutes.
DEFENSIVE ROLL CALL
12 TACKLES, 9 SOLO — Aiden Frazier, Savannah Christian
Frazier led the Raiders in tackles as Savannah Christian posted a 44-0 shutout.
9 TACKLES, PICK SIX — Jameer Jackson, Savannah Christian
Jackson had nine tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown.
48-YARD PICK SIX — Demari Perry, Benedictine
The sophomore returned an interception 48 yards for his first career touchdown.
45-YARD PICK SIX — Anthony Cook, Bethesda
Cook helped Bethesda bounce back from its first loss with a 49-0 shutout of Camden Military.
BLOCKED PUNT TD — Jeffrey McCormick, Calvary Day
Emerson Lewis got the block. McCormick caught the ball and scored.
ONE MORE NUMBER
106 POINTS — BRADWELL AND BRUNSWICK
Bradwell scored 57. Brunswick scored 49.
Sometimes the best defense is getting the football back to your offense.
HALFTIME | WEEK 7 SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Oct. 1
Savannah Christian 44, Savannah High 0 *
Statesboro 49, Groves 14 *
Friday, Oct. 2
Bradwell 57, Brunswick 49 *
Effingham County 36, Glynn Academy 25 *
South Effingham 46, Lakeside-Evans 21 *
Benedictine 48, Evans 10 *
Jenkins 47, Wayne County 6 *
Liberty County 24, Windsor Forest 19 *
West Laurens 14, New Hampstead 7 *
Pierce County 65, Beach 20 *
Tattnall County 31, Islands 14 *
Appling County 50, Johnson 6 *
Screven County 14, Bryan County 3 *
Calvary Day 54, Metter 7 *
Bethesda 49, Camden Military 0
Piedmont Academy 54, St. Andrew’s 34
*Region game
3RD QUARTER | PREP SPORTS REPORT’S TAKE
Seven weeks in, here’s what I’m seeing. It’s not always about how you start. At this point in the season, I’m more interested in how you respond.
Effingham County started 0-2 and has won four straight. Jenkins started 0-3 and has won three straight. South Effingham lost for the first time in Week 6 and answered by putting 46 points on the board. Bethesda lost its first game and came right back with a 49-0 win.
Then there’s Liberty County. Windsor Forest took the lead with 28.9 seconds left Friday night, and most teams would have been thinking about what went wrong. The Panthers were thinking about what they could still do. A 64-yard kickoff return and one touchdown pass later, Liberty County had the win.
That’s where we are now. It’s October, and everybody has played enough football to know who they are. Everybody has dealt with a bad play, a bad quarter, or maybe a Friday night they’d like to have back.
Now we find out who can handle it.
Region standings are starting to matter. Playoff races are taking shape, and one Friday night can change a whole lot. Good football teams won’t be perfect every week.
What they do next usually tells you more than what went wrong in the first place.
4TH QUARTER | WEEK 8: WHAT’S NEXT?
The schedule is a little shorter this week, with Effingham County and South Effingham among the teams getting a Friday off. But don’t confuse fewer games with fewer games that matter.
It’s October. The region games are adding up, and we’ve got a pretty good one sitting right here in Savannah.
WEEK 8 SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, Oct. 8
Bryan County (0-6, 0-1) at Calvary Day (5-1, 1-0) *
FRIDAY, OCT. 9
Colquitt County (3-2, 0-0) at Richmond Hill (5-1, 0-0) * 7 PM
Greenbrier (2-4, 1-2) at Bradwell (4-2, 2-1) *
Jenkins (3-3, 3-0) at Benedictine (5-1, 3-0) (MS) *
Groves (0-6, 0-3) at Wayne County (1-5, 0-3) *
Long County (1-4, 0-1) at Liberty County (3-3, 2-0) *
Southeast Bulloch (2-4, 0-2) at Windsor Forest (3-2, 0-1) (IS) *
Appling County (6-0, 3-0) at Beach (2-4, 1-2) (GS) *
Brantley County (2-4, 1-2) at Johnson (1-5, 0-3) (SHS) *
Savannah High (0-6, 0-1) at Screven County (5-1, 1-0) *
Metter (0-6, 0-1) at Savannah Christian (2-4, 1-0) (PS) *
Hilton Head Christian (6-1, 0-0) at Bethesda (4-1, 0-0) *
Savannah Country Day (2-5, 0-0) at Bulloch Academy (6-1, 0-0) *
NOTE: Records (Overall/Region)
STADIUM KEY
GS ― Groves Stadium
IS ― Islands Stadium
MS ― Memorial Stadium
PS ― Pooler Stadium
SHS ― Savannah High Stadium
OVERTIME - FOUR THAT HAVE THE PSR ATTENTION
JENKINS AT BENEDICTINE
This one didn’t require much discussion. Benedictine is 3-0 in Region 1-5A. Jenkins is 3-0. Both teams have won three straight, and now they meet at Memorial Stadium.
Benedictine has been here plenty of times. Jenkins has spent the last three weeks showing everybody that the 0-3 start is old news.
Two Savannah teams. Two 3-0 region records. Friday night, somebody gets the upper hand.
COLQUITT COUNTY AT RICHMOND HILL
Richmond Hill is 5-1, and the Wildcats’ only loss was about as close as you can get, 24-23 to East Coweta.
Now Colquitt County comes to Richmond Hill. This is a good measuring stick for the Wildcats, who have already shown they can win and showed plenty in that one-point loss. Now they get another chance to show us where they stand.
METTER AT SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN
Savannah Christian finally got into region play Thursday night and made a pretty good first impression with a 44-0 win over Savannah High.
The Raiders got 144 rushing yards from Wesley Dinkins, 134 passing yards from Caden Godbee, and a defense that didn’t give up a point.
Now Metter comes to Pooler Stadium. One region win is nice. Start stacking them, and things get interesting.
HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN AT BETHESDA
Bethesda lost for the first time in Week 6. The question was how the Blazers would respond.
They answered with a 49-0 road win over Camden Military. Jordan Turner threw three touchdown passes and added another score on the ground, while the Bethesda defense put up its first shutout of the season.
Now Hilton Head Christian comes to town. The Blazers are 4-1, and this game gives us another chance to see where Bethesda stands as it heads deeper into October.
OPTIM ORTHOPEDICS
Optim Orthopedics presents Prep Sports Report’s 2026 high school football coverage.
Seven weeks of football means plenty of bumps, bruises, and everything that comes with playing this game. Optim Orthopedics supports high school athletics throughout Savannah and the Coastal Empire, helping local athletes stay healthy, recover from injuries, and get back to doing what they love.
PSR appreciates Optim Orthopedics for supporting our coverage and, more importantly, supporting the athletes, coaches, and programs that make Friday nights special throughout our area.
Optim Orthopedics wants you in the game.
FINAL WHISTLE
We’re into October now, and every Friday feels like a little more.
Benedictine and Jenkins are both 3-0 in region play, and they’ll settle some things Friday night at Memorial Stadium. Richmond Hill is 5-1 with Colquitt County coming to town. Savannah Christian has its first region win, Liberty County is 2-0 in its region, and Bethesda is coming off the kind of bounce-back performance coaches like to see.
Effingham County and South Effingham get this Friday off. Then those two get each other.
September showed us plenty. October is where we start finding out who can finish.
And that’s when high school football gets really good.
SOURCES & EDITOR’S NOTE
Information in this week’s Friday Night Huddle was compiled from area coaches and schools, team-provided statistics, Savannah Morning News reporting, Effingham Herald reporting, MaxPreps, and Prep Sports Report’s own coverage and schedules.
Statistics and records are based on information available to Prep Sports Report at the time of publication. If a player, statistic, or performance was missed, coaches are encouraged to send verified information to Prep Sports Report so the athlete can be recognized.
Photo credit: Shutters by Court
Follow Prep Sports Report on X @PrepSav and Instagram @savannahsportsreport.
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 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).
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