The fifth annual Savannah Football Media Day, hosted by Optim Orthopedics and Prep Sports Report on Aug. 2, was an opportunity for Coastal Empire teams to talk about their prospects for the 2025 season.
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Coaches and players gave their opinions on football-related questions posed by local media members. Prep Sports Report surveyed representatives of the 12 programs in attendance with the same questions and will share their responses in a series of articles.
The order of responses is based on the randomly chosen lineup at the event.
Today: Question 1: Which player do you hope has a breakout season, either as a first-time starter or as a returning starter making a bigger impact?
Savannah Christian coach Baker Woodward:
“I’ll say two of them who haven’t started in the past and have really done a great job on scout team. Ivyn Richardson (junior TE/LB) has had a great offseason. I think he’s a really good athlete, a very physical linebacker. Andrew Goodman (junior TE/DE), same thing. He was starting junior varsity. Worked really hard on scout team the last couple of years. Came back with more muscle, more strength, more speed. Both of those guys I really think are going to have a breakout season.”
PHOTO (L-R): Savannah Christian Prep head coach Baker Woodward with players JT Howell, Athen Hudspeth, and Weston Hughes at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
Bethesda Academy coach Antwain Turner:
“Jeffrey Armstrong, sophomore running back/outside linebacker. We saw some flashes (on Friday) that make you say wow. (Senior Jordan) Cheever is going to carry the ball a large percentage of our games, but to have Jeffrey Armstrong coming in, I think is going to be tremendous. I also think sophomore TE/OLB Ka’Mond Young. He’s getting bigger, faster and stronger. I think people don’t hear his name enough, but I believe he’ll have a breakout year.”
PHOTO (L-R): Bethesda Academy Blazers players Isiah Redmond, Jordan Cheever, Raleigh Wesley, and head coach Antwain Turner at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
St. Andrew’s School coach Wes Worthington:
“Junior M.J. Scott. He did not play for us last year. He’s been here all summer. He’s a really good athlete. He’s our backup quarterback. He’s going to be a wingback for us. I’m really looking for him to bring a lot to our offense. He’s also going to play defense for us. He’s really done a good job at practice. I’m really excited to see what he can do.”
PHOTO (L-R): St. Andrew’s School Lions players Joe Frazar, Landen Buchmann, Jack Kelly, and head coach Wes Worthington at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
Bradwell Institute coach Deshon Brock:
“The offensive line as a whole. We had to replace a couple of guys on our offensive line. The games are won and lost in the trenches. If the offensive line has a very productive year, we’ll have a great season.”
PHOTO (L-R): Bradwell Institute Tigers players Khamari Griffin, Carlito Savea, Wade Cobb, Danyzion Cobb, and head coach Deshon Brock at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
Liberty County coach Tony Glazer:
“Elijah Brown, senior running back. He played only four games for us last year and he went over 100 yards in every game he played. He was injured and he didn’t play football until last year. He didn’t come out for football until July (2024), but we’ve had him all year. We expect him to have a big year. He’s a grown man running the football.”
PHOTO (L-R): Liberty County High School Panthers players Elijah Brown, Zorrion Green, Christian Hines, and head coach Tony Glazer at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
Benedictine coach Danny Britt:
“That’s a very big question for us because there’s a number of guys. The entire offensive line is one of them. They’re all brand new. I certainly hope all of those guys – whoever they are, and we have a number of guys vying for all of those spots – will be a breakout for us. Junior Eron Mallard is our slotback, receiver, plays some defensive back, returner type guy. Eron Mallard is a name I hope you will know like a (Notre Dame commit) Bubba Frazier after this season.”
PHOTO (L-R): Benedictine Military Players Larson Little, Stephen Cannon, Bubba Frazier, and head coach Danny Britt at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
Calvary Day coach Jason Cameron:
“It’s a hard question because we have so many. For me, just because he was going to play a huge role for us last year and got a season-ending injury, I’m going to say junior Jalen Hicks. He’s like our Swiss army knife. He plays everywhere. He plays corner, safety, all receiver positions, running back. One of the smartest football players I’ve ever coached. Watching him go down last year with that injury and it just crushed him, then seeing the work he’s put in to get back, I’m hoping he has a good year for us.”
PHOTO (L-R): Calvary Day School Players John Swindell, James Mobley, head coach Jason Cameron, and Jay Verner at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
Bryan County offensive coordinator, running backs and linebackers coach Chad Roberts:
“Anddreas McKinney, senior. He’s an all-state running back who rushed for 1,300 to 1,400 yards last season. I think (rising senior) Zane Renteria was our MVP last year. He played offensive line and linebacker and just didn’t come off the field. I’m trying to get these guys off of special teams just so they can have a break. It’s kind of hard. We have four returning offensive linemen. I think we have a chance to be really good on the offensive line. We’re looking forward to seeing them develop.”
PHOTO (L-R): Bryan County High School Players Zane Renteria, Corey Collier, Anddreas McKinny, and offensive coordinator Chad Roberts at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
Effingham County coach John Ford:
“There’s a kid I want to shoutout because I think he’s underrated is Kris Swinney. He got hurt last year in Game 2. He’s a dynamic cornerback. He solidifies one of the corner spots. We’ve got Daimir (Hicks) and Jernard (Albright) at safety and (Kris) and Jaden Praylo at corner. Kris got hurt. Some of the lists of best corners come out and he’s not on there. He should be. If he does what I think he does, he’ll be recognized as one of the best corners in the state. He’s a great young man from a great family. If he does what I know he’s capable of and I expect him to do, he will have a breakout season.”
PHOTO (L-R): Effingham County High School head coach John Ford with players Taumafai Quarterman, Tucker Perkins, and Daimar Hicks at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
Richmond Hill coach Matt LeZotte:
“Senior running back Amire Miller. He probably could have been our starter last year. He had a shoulder injury. And then Josh (Troupe) played so well that we couldn’t take him off the field. I really expect (Amire) to have a breakout. If he can have the year I think he can have, it’s really going to help us.”
PHOTO (L-R): Richmond Hill High School head coach Matt LeZotte with players Walter Pugh, Amire Miller, and Connor Peltier at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
Savannah Country Day coach Joey Blackmore:
“Junior Thomas Holland is in a unique position right now where we’re not sure where we’ll take him off the field. I think he’s our best ballcarrier, potentially our best linebacker with the other two (Hayes Beaver, Boone Wiesner) that are here (at media day). It really comes into which backup role do we feel most comfortable in giving him a break. He’ll be all over the field (including special teams).”
PHOTO (L-R): Savannah Country Day School Players Thomas Holland, Boone Wiesner, Hayes Beaver, and head Coach Joey Blackmore at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
South Effingham coach Loren Purvis:
“Khyran White led the team in rushing last year (as a sophomore), but he had 400 or 500 yards, it wasn’t a ton. I’m hoping for him to increase that immensely. Maddox Vasquez wasn’t with us last year and is with us this year. He’s two-way player. He transferred from Calvary. He’s a junior now who will play nickel, safety and running back for us.”
PHOTO (L-R): South Effingham High School Players Khyran White, Corey Woods, Haydin Still, and head Coach Loren Purvis at the 2025 Optim Orthopedics/Prep Sports Report Media Day. Courtesy of Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department.
Group Photos: Courtesy Optim Orthopedics Marketing Department
Lead Photo: Running Back Amire White Richmond Hill High School courtesy ProShot_Media
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All football coverage sponsored by Optim Orthopedics!
From the gridiron to the hardwood, Optim Orthopedics stands tall as a dedicated supporter of high school athletes across Savannah. They're not just sponsors—they're game-changers, delivering top-notch medical care to nine standout 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 care, Optim Orthopedics fuels Prep Sports Report's basketball and football coverage. Because when the game's on the line, Optim Orthopedics gets you back in it!
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