The Week 9 list of scheduled games for high school football in the Savannah area may not be lengthy with several teams on bye, but it’s certainly filled with plenty of intriguing storylines nonetheless.
Savannah’s best Private school rivalry is renewed in Pooler to highlight the Friday, Oct. 30 slate. Benedictine is the lone Region 3-4A team in action as No. 8 Islands, Jenkins and New Hampstead are all off this week.
Here’s a look at the best games in the area this weekend.
CALVARY DAY at SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN
A rivalry which rarely disappoints, Calvary and Savannah Christian once again has the makings of a heavyweight clash in 2020. The Raiders (6-1) are set to host the Cavaliers (4-3) at Pooler Stadium in a matchup with huge Class A Private implications and legitimate state Player of the Year candidates on both sides.
Each team is coming off a bye last week.
SCPS enters ranked No. 7 by MaxPreps computers and No. 10 by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Calvary has lost to two top-5 teams this year and is ranked No. 12 in the MaxPreps computer rankings.
The Raiders are led by senior quarterback Spencer Robicheaux and a pair of versatile receivers on offense. They score an average of 34.3 points per game and allow an average of 17 points to opponents.
Robicheaux has thrown for 1,348 yards and 15 touchdowns (two interceptions) on 71-of-134 (53%) passing. He also leads the club in rushing (411 yards, five touchdowns). George Futch (31 receptions, 538 yards, three touchdowns) and Ely Brown (16, 394, 5) are the top receiving targets.
CDS is paced by a trio of playmakers on offense in quarterback Jake Merklinger, running back Greg Daniel and receiver Brogan Korta.
Daniel has rushed for 761 yards and seven touchdowns this year. The Army commit has 1,954 career rushing yards. A freshman, Merklinger has steadily improved under center for a Calvary offense averaging 25.7 points per game (20.4 against).
Merklinger has thrown for 1,110 yards and 13 touchdowns (four interceptions) on 92-of-141 (65%) passing. His top target, Korta has five touchdowns and 385 yards on 29 receptions.
In the past five seasons, Calvary and Savannah Christian have met six times (twice in 2016). Each team has a record of 3-3. SCPS has won the last two meetings with Calvary’s last win over its rival coming in 2017.
BRUNSWICK at RICHMOND HILL
Richmond Hill’s 6-1 start to the season is largely due to the stellar play of senior running back Ashaud Roberson. Roberson has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in every game and has ran for 962 yards in all.
The Wildcats are ranked No. 5 in Class 6A by the AJC and No. 4 by Georgia High School Football Daily and MaxPreps.
Brunswick (5-2) is no pushover despite not being ranked among the 6A top-10. Quarterback KJ Lee has thrown for 1,145 yards and 11 touchdowns while junior running back Ree Simmons has rushed for 747 yards and seven scores on 115 carries.
AQUINAS at SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY
After having its game against ECI cancelled last week due to a lack of referees, SCDS had a de facto bye week ahead of the Region opener versus the undefeated Fightin’ Irish.
Country Day (2-3) has won two of its three October games but the final game of the month is without a doubt its toughest. Aquinas (7-0) is ranked No. 6 in the AJC Class A Private rankings this week and has an offense averaging 41.8 points per game. Running back Darius Stone leads the way for Aquinas.
The Hornets are paced by Barry Kleinpeter at quarterback and will look to get off to a good start within the region ahead of rivalry road games with Calvary (Nov. 6) and Savannah Christian (Nov. 20).
Savannah Prep Area Football
Week 9 Schedule
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All kickoffs 7:30 p.m. unless noted
Thursday, Oct. 29
GHSA Region 3-3A
Beach @ Windsor Forest at Garden City, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30
GHSA Region 2-6A
Effingham County @ Glynn Academy
Brunswick at Richmond Hill
GHSA Non-Region Game 3A/6A
South Effingham @ Benedictine at Memorial Stadium
GHSA Region 3-1A
Bryan County @ Jenkins County
Calvary Day @ Savannah Christian at Pooler Stadium
Aquinas at Savannah Country Day
SCISA 1A
Dorchester @ Bethesda at Calvary Day School
GISA Region AAA
Trinity @ St. Andrew’s
Memorial Day at Pinewood Christian
Saturday, Oct. 31
GHSA Region 3-3A
Groves @ Savannah High at Islands Stadium, 6 p.m.
Follow Travis Jaudon on Twitter @JaudonSports. Contact him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
Photo - Savannah Christian website
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