It’s the third week of the high school football season, but thanks to “week zero” it’s “Week 2” around the GHSA landscape.
This week is highlighted by several big non-region games, most notably at Calvary and Memorial Stadium (BC/Westminster) on Friday, September 2. Let’s take a look at some of the marquee games for this week on the gridiron.
EAGLE’S LANDING CHRISTIAN (1-1) at CALVARY DAY (1-0)
This might be the best non-region matchup of the entire season for Savannah area teams.
Calvary enters the game ranked No. 4 in Class 3A by the Atlanta Journal Constitution while Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy comes in at No. 2 in Class 2A. ELCA was the consensus preseason No. 1 team in Class 2A before losing to Blessed Trinity (Class 6A No. 6) last week. Calvary was idle last week after a blowout win over Islands in week zero.
The Chargers have an elite running back tandem in Brandon Hood and Charlie Gilliam as Hood rushed for 235 yards and three scores in ELCA’s week zero win over Brentwood Academy (TN).
It’s the fourth all-time meeting between the two private school powers. ELCA has won the last two meetings (2014 & 2017) while Calvary won the first game, 35-34, in 2013. The Chargers and Cavaliers have never met in the regular season, as the first three times they played it was in the state semifinals or the state quarterfinals.
WESTMINSTER (1-1) at BENEDICTINE (1-1)
This game will be the first ever meeting between the Benedictine Cadets and Westminster Wildcats.
BC’s 41-15 loss at Christopher-Columbus Miami last week didn’t move them from the No. 1 ranking in this week’s Class 4A AJC Poll. Westminster (Class 6A) won 14-0 over Lovett in the season opener, before losing to No. 10 Pace Academy last week by a score of 21-19.
The programs are two of the most consistent in the entire state. The Wildcats are 197 games over .500 all-time while the Cadets are 202 games over .500.
JENKINS (1-1) at RICHMOND HILL (1-1)
Troy Smith will start at quarterback for the Warriors after Jenkins’ improbable, impressive comeback victory last week versus Bluffton (SC).
Jenkins won 34-21 behind two defensive touchdowns and excellent running performances from backs Joshua Pridgen and Jayaun Albert. Pridgen rushed for 179 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries and Albert added two scores and 148 yards on 14 attempts.
Richmond Hill lost a tough game at Class 5A No. 5 Ware County last week (20-7). Now, the Wildcats will host Ware County’s region mate Jenkins. Senior RHHS receiver Ravon Grant has 13 catches already, but he’s averaging just 4.6 yards per catch which is surprising given his big-play ability. Fellow senior Zion Gillard has two rushing touchdowns and 158 yards on 46 carries through two games.
SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY (2-0) at AQUINAS (2-0)
The Hornets have won their first two games against Windsor Forest and Pinewood Christian by a combined score of 59-6. This week, they’ll head to Augusta for a meeting with fellow 2-0 Aquinas in a matchup of former region 3-A Private members.
Senior running back Michael Grandy has rushed for five touchdowns and 268 yards on 54 carries through his first two games. Freshman Josh Washington leads the team with four receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown and he is second on the team with 13 tackles as a defensive back. Sophomore Tyler Scott has 23 tackles including 5 ½ for a loss.
The Fightin’ Irish are 2-0 after wins over Jefferson County (40-21) and Westside (41-7). Sophomore quarterback Jim Franklin has seven passing touchdowns already (zero interceptions). Clark Jackson (nine carries, 133 yards, four touchdowns) and Walker Mobley (25, 118, 1) lead the running game for Aquinas.
Maxpreps ranks Aquinas No. 10 in Class 1A Division B while the Hornets come in at No. 19 in Class 3A.
THOMAS SUMTER ACADEMY (1-1) at BETHESDA ACADEMY (2-0)
Bethesda’s 40-24 win on the road at John Paul II last week signaled that these Blazers are for real this season. In week zero, Bethesda won 8-7, showing they have the ability to win a defensive struggle or an offensive shootout. It’s the program’s first 2-0 start since 2018.
Triston Randall threw for four touchdowns on 6-of-9 passing with 135 yards through the air. The junior also had nine tackles on defense against JPII.
This week, Bethesda hosts TSA out of Dalzell, South Carolina and SCISA’s Class 2A. Gatlin Kimbro runs the show for the Generals. In a week zero win, the dual-threat senior quarterback threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 48 yards and another score.
Week 2 Schedule Friday 09.02.22
LOCAL TEAM @ HOME
(KICKOFF AT 7:30PM UNLESS NOTED)
Jenkins at Richmond Hill
Islands at South Effingham
Bradwell at New Hampstead (Pooler Stadium)
Westminster at Benedictine (Memorial)
Eagle's Landing Christian at Calvary Day
Groves at Savannah High (Savannah High)
Johnson at Windsor Forest (Islands)
Aquinas at Savannah Country Day
John Paul II at St. Andrew's
Thomas Sumter at Bethesda (Daffin Park)
LOCAL TEAMS ON THE ROAD
Effingham County at Statesboro
Beach at Brantley County
Bryan County at Wheeler County
FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
Photo Credit - RDP Productions
Optim Orthopedics supports Benedictine Military School, Calvary Day School, Richmond Hill High School, Savannah Country Day, South Effingham High School, and St. Vincent's athletics. Benedictine Military School's team doctor is Dr. David Sedory. The team doctor for Calvary Day School, South Effingham, and Richmond Hill is Dr. David Palmer. Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!
