Savannah Christian had plenty to celebrate this weekend, and it didn’t have anything to do with a game played at Pooler Stadium. Two former Raiders, Elijah Griffin ’25 and Mark Langston ‘19, found themselves at the center of college football’s championship Saturday.
Griffin, a defensive tackle, played a role in Georgia’s SEC title win, and Langston, the long snapper for an Indiana team that claimed the Big Ten championship. The wins came hours apart, but both pointed back to the same place where their journeys started.
That pride only grew as Savannah Christian Preparatory School Head Coach Baker Woodward watched the events unfold. To him, their achievements were part of a recognizable pattern.
“When you see Griffin and Langston winning SEC and Big Ten championships, it reflects the standard they set at Savannah Christian,” Woodward said. “Both are very driven. Mark Langston joined us in my first year, took a preferred walk-on spot at Kennesaw State, then Georgia Southern, and worked hard. When he left those schools, he pushed even harder, selling himself and improving. It’s no surprise he now has a chance to play for a national championship.”
Langston’s path has never been smooth, and that seems to be exactly what forged him. Griffin’s journey was different—highly recruited and expected. Griffin stood out from the moment he stepped on campus, long before college coaches lined up for him.
“Elijah is just one of those kids who does everything right,” Woodward said. “Since sixth grade he worked extremely hard, did everything he was supposed to do. He reaped a lot of benefits from his hard work when he was here at Savannah Christian, and now he’s really reaping the benefits of that work at the University of Georgia.”
Despite those differing journeys, both have reached the same destination: the top of their sport.
“I’m proud they’re playing at the highest level,” Woodward added. “Both got a chance to play on Sundays, but more importantly, they conduct themselves with hard work and dedication. They’re great kids, and it’s rewarding to have coached them. Even after leaving, they continue to live by these values.”
When asked where those qualities originated, Woodward didn’t try to claim too much credit. He’s been around long enough to understand the influence that comes before a coach ever enters the picture.
“I’d love to say everything Elijah does is because I’m such a wonderful coach,” 
he joked. “But let’s be honest — they had it in them all along. Maybe we helped motivate them or pulled some of it out, but they came in with those qualities. Elijah’s mom and grandmother did an unbelievable job raising him. Mark’s dad, did a great job too. We hope we made an impact, but they already had those values before they got to us.”
Their recent success also sends a clear message to the current roster—one Woodward doesn’t have to manufacture.
“In today’s world, everybody’s looking for where the grass is greener,” Woodward said. “But the bottom line is—you can get anywhere from any school. The grass is green where you water it. If you’re good enough, college coaches are going to find you, as long as your coaches are doing everything in their power to get you seen.”
Further proving his point, Savannah Christian’s list of college and professional alumni continues to grow: D’Angelo Brown, an NFL defensive tackle. Jaylen Myrick who ran one of the fastest 40-yard dash times in NFL Combine history. David Bucey at South Carolina. Logan Brookings at Clemson. Zo Smalls at Charleston Southern. Jamari McIvory at Northern Illinois. And now, Griffin and Langston are on championship weekend stages.
“These guys show you can go anywhere from Savannah Christian if you work hard and stay dedicated,” Woodward said. “I’m excited for both Elijah and Mark. Honestly, I’m a little jealous — I wish I could be with them experiencing what they’re getting to experience. But they earned everything through their hard work, their dedication, and the talent God gave them.”
Langston and Griffin traveled different paths, yet both reached championship title games on the same night and won. Their journeys began at Savannah Christian and no matter where they go, their program back home shares in their victory. As always, "It's a Great Day to be a Raider!"
Photo credit: SCPS Athletics on X, and the football media departments at the University of Georgia and Indiana University.
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