This summer, PSR highlights some of the area’s top returning quarterbacks at several schools across the area. We’ll take a look back at these signal-callers in 2020 and look ahead to what could be ahead for them in 2021 and beyond.
One of the more competitive regions in the Savannah area high school football scene have been the ones including Benedictine and Jenkins in recent years. Despite reshuffling at the GHSA level, the local prep football has been dominated by those two of late -- Jenkins in 2019, Benedictine in 2020. In 2021, it could be an oft-underrated New Hampstead squad which takes control.
The Phoenix (6-2 in 2020) figure to be guided by rising junior quarterback Pauly Seely in this, the third season for head coach Kyle Hockman. A region crown would likely mean a big season for Seely, who moved to Savannah from Alma, Michigan before his freshman season (also Hockman’s first year at NHHS).
This summer, PSR highlights some of the area’s top returning quarterbacks at several schools across the area. We’ll take a look back at these signal-callers in 2020 and look ahead to what could be ahead for them in 2021 and beyond.
A four-team region (BC, Islands, Jenkins, New Hampstead), there’s an undeniable favorite to win the 2021 Region 3-4A football crown, and it has a lot to do with the returning QB (Holden Geriner) for Benedictine (that undeniable favorite). Seely is the only other QB in the region with experience outside of the Auburn commitment Geriner. His Phoenix may well end up being the sturdiest hurdle preventing the Cadets from securing a second-straight region title (COVID-19 forced SCCPSS to forfeit region games outside of the school district).
“Every team wants to win every game on its schedule at the beginning of the season,” Seely said in a June 28 phone call with the Prep Sports Report. “Every team wants to win titles and crowns but our goal, and our mission I think this season, is to focus on each week as it comes and take things one game at a time.
“But if you are asking about region games then yeah, those three games for us really do mean everything. There is not one team in this region, even though it only has four teams, there isn’t one team that is easy, or not good.”
Seely said he threw for 1,100 yards, 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions last season as a sophomore. He was splitting time with senior Randy Jarrell at quarterback for head coach Kyle Hockman’s club, routinely alternating with Jarrell at QB on every-other-possession for the Phoenix. But, against Jenkins in the Region 3-4A finale, Jarrell was forced out early with injury, and Seely stepped in big-time to deliver a 44-20 NHHS victory.
He finished the contest with three passing scores and 206 yards on 9-of-13 (69%) passing. It didn’t take him long to heat up against the Warriors, as he was 7-of-8 with all three TD tosses coming before halftime. NHHS was the region 3-seed last season, falling 30-26 at LaGrange in the GHSA Class 4A first round. Benedictine was a Final-4 team in the classification, and has been getting that kind of prediction in summer previews entering 2021.
Still, Seely will join alongside offensive senior returners Jamell Coast (running back) and Kaden Sonnabend (tight end) to spearhead what could be an offense capable of leading the Phoenix to greater heights such as deep playoff runs and region crowns. He doesn’t lack confidence.
“I think we are going to be really good (in 2021),” Seely said. “I know we lost a lot -- some receivers and O-Line -- but I think we return enough this season to be really good.”
When asked if Georgia’s HS football product is actually a noticeable “step-above” the prep football in states further north like his native Michigan, Seely confirmed the Peach State’s reputation.
“It’s even better than I thought,” Seely said of the football in Georgia. “I knew it was going to be faster, bigger and all that but the level of it is just insane. It’s real. Down south football is the truth.”
A recruit in the Class of 2023, Seely said he has offers already from Bowling Green, Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee and Elon. With an expected two full seasons remaining in his prep career at NHHS, Seely should be racking up more offers in the very near future.
You can follow him on Twitter -- @PaulySeely.
Follow Travis on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Contact him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
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