It is GAME WEEK! The Prep Sports Report's yearly high school football capsules are complete. They will include school information, the coach's outlook, and the most updated individual school schedules (date, day, opponent, site, and start time) for the 21 high school football teams in the Savannah Area.
The Georgia High School Association approved a new reclassification and region alignment system last year. All teams enter the second season of the new system, and Savannah area football teams are used to their new regions and opponents. So, this year again, the capsules will be a three-part series.
PART 1 – Bryan County (3-A); Savannah High (3-A); Windsor Forest (3-2A); Bradwell Institute (1-5A); Jenkins (1-5A); Effingham (2-6A); South Effingham (2-6A); Richmond Hill (1-7A)
Part I - The Prep Sports Report 2023: High School Football Capsules
PART 2 – Calvary Day (3-3A); Savannah Christian (3-3A); Savannah Country Day (3-3A); Liberty County (3-3A); Johnson (3-3A); Groves (3-3A); Beach (3-3A)
PART 3 – Benedictine (3-4A); New Hampstead (3-4A); Islands (3-4A); Memorial Day School (GISA); St. Andrew’s (GISA); Bethesda Academy (SCISA)
PART II - High school football capsules 2023 season preview
GHSA Region 3-3A
School: Beach
Mascot: Bulldogs
Location: Savannah
Head coach: Michael Thompson
Record at school/years: 2-17/two
Overall coaching record/years: 105-48/14
2022 overall/region records: 1-9/1-6
Offensive scheme: Spread
Defensive scheme: Multiple
Key returning players: QB Demetris Holloway, DE/TE Bakari Smith, RB/LB LeDonte Bright, OL/DL/LB Ricardo Bright , Jayden Hamilton
2023 outlook: “We trying to be more competitive. I feel like we can win more games than we did last year. We have a good freshman core coming in that will contribute to the team, and we brought back some returning starters from last year, which is always a plus. We are just going to play with pride and see what happens.” - Beach head coach Michael Thompson
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 -- Bluffton High School (Savannah High)
Aug. 25 -- at Vidalia
Sept. 1 -- at Brantley County
Sept. 15 -- at Johnson* (Islands)
Sept. 22 -- at Groves* (Islands)
Sept. 28, Thursday -- Savannah Country Day* (Savannah High)
Oct. 6 -- Long County* (Savannah High)
Oct. 20 -- Savannah Christian* (Savannah High)
Oct. 27 -- Liberty County* (Islands)
Nov. 3 -- at Calvary Day School*
*Region 3-A Division I game
All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted
School: Calvary Day School
Mascot: Cavaliers
Location: Savannah
Head coach: Mark R. Stroud
Record at school/years: 126-41/14
Overall coaching record/years: -250-108/31
2022 overall/region records: 11-1/7-0 Region 3-3A; lost in third round of GHSA Class 3A playoffs.
Offensive scheme: spread
Defensive scheme: odd front
Key returning players: QB Jake Merklinger, WR/RB Edward “Doopah” Coleman, TE/WR Michael Smith; FS/SB Trevor Strowbridge; WR/DB Caden Arnold, DL Walter Mathis Jr.
Key losses: MLB/DE Troy Ford, DT Terry Simmons, OG/DT Jalin Scott
2023 outlook: “Good skills guys with speed. Need to find a couple of OL and DL will be crucial to our success.” – Calvary Day head coach Mark Stroud
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 – Islands
Sept. 1 – at Eagle’s Landing Christian, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 – Charlotte (N.C.) Christian
Sept. 15 – Liberty County*
Sept. 22 – at Savannah Christian* (Pooler)
Sept. 29 – at Johnson* (Pooler)
Oct. 6 – Groves*
Oct. 20 – at Savannah Country Day*
Oct 27 – at Long County*
Nov. 3 – Beach*
*Region 3-3A game
All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted
School: Robert W. Groves
Mascot: Rebels
Location: Garden City
Head coach: Calvin Wells
Record at school/years: 1-9/one
Overall coaching record/years: 1-9/one
2022 overall/region records: 1-9/0-7 Region 3-3A
Offensive scheme: Spread
Defensive scheme: 4-2-5/3-4
Key returning players: RB/MLB Rashwan Moore, Jaylen Mazone, TE/OG/DE Jawan Tate, DE Trenton Tukes, OG/DT Lyric Johnson, OG/NG Joshua Core, Malachi Gardner, WR/CB Makel Brown
2023 outlook: “We have a lot of returners who have a better grasp of my purpose and goal. We should be a solid team this year. We still need those dudes, but I enjoy my 9-5 guys who believe nothing but hard work will work.” – Groves head coach Calvin Wells
2023 schedule
Aug. 25 – at Brantley County
Sept. 1 – Savannah High (Memorial Stadium)
Sept. 8 – Claxton, 7 p.m. (Islands Stadium)
Sept. 15 – at Long County*
Sept. 22 – Beach*, 7 p.m. (Islands Stadium)
Sept. 29 – Liberty County* (Islands Stadium)
Oct. 6 – at Calvary Day*
Oct. 19 – Thursday - Johnson* (Islands Stadium)
Oct. 27 – at Savannah Christian* (Pooler)
Nov. 11 – at Savannah Country Day*
*Region 3-3A game
All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted
School: Sol C. Johnson
Mascot: Atomsmashers
Location: Savannah
Head coach: Steven Smith
Record at school/years: First Year Head Coach
Overall coaching record/years: First Year Head Coach
2022 overall/region records: Overall Record: 5-5 Region Record: 3-4
Offensive scheme: Pistol Spread Wing
Defensive scheme: 3-4
Key returning players: Sr. Nashun Mitchell Ht: 5-11 Wt: 305 (OG/NG), Sr. Thomas Hill Ht: 6-0 Wt: 230 (OL/DE), Sr. Jayceon Little Ht: 6-5 Wt. 345 (OT/NG), Sr. Jaquay Foster Ht: 5-10 Wt: 160 (WB/DB), Sr. Jadon Pugh Ht: 5-10 Wt: 145 (WB/DB), Jr. Isaiah Scott Ht: 5-9 Wt: 215 (RB/LB), Jr. Jashawn Lovett Ht: 5-9, Wt: 175 (RB/LB)
2023 outlook: “We are looking forward to building on the foundation that former Head Coach Kenderrick Bonner has laid over the last 5 years. We are focusing on an approach to the game that requires more discipline, execution, and reliant on all 11 players to contribute when on the field. Although the team is replacing 9 starters on offense and defense, I feel optimistic that the team will continue the trend upward that we have seen over the last 5 years.” – Johnson head coach Steven Smith
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 -- McIntosh County Academy (Islands)
Sept. 1 -- Windsor Forest (Savannah)
Sept. 8 -- at Brantley County
Sept. 15 – Beach* (Islands)
Sept. 22 -- at Liberty County*
Sept. 29 -- Calvary Day School* (Pooler)
Oct. 6 -- at Savannah Christian* (Pooler)
Oct. 20 -- at Groves* (Islands)
Oct. 26, Thursday -- Savannah Country Day* (Savannah)
Nov. 3 -- at Long County*
*Region 3-A Division I game
All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted
School: Liberty County
Mascot: Panthers
Location: Hinesville, GA
Head coach: Tony Glazer
Record at school/years: 7-5/one
Overall coaching record/years: 8-14/2
2022 overall/region records: 7-5/4-3 Made the second round of the GHSA Class AAA playoffs.
Offensive scheme: Spread
Defensive scheme: Multiple
Key returning players: QB Carlos Singleton, WR/SS Ron Golden, OL/DL Aueric Whitfield, OL Jamon Pittman, DB/KR Markel Adside, WR/FS Ryan Golden
2023 outlook: “We're getting a lot of new faces moving into the starting lineup, especially on defense, after losing 10 starters. We're hoping that our offense can carry the load early on, thanks to a few returning players. As the season goes on, we hope our young guys will gain experience, which will help us become a better football team as the year goes on.” - Liberty County head coach Tony Glazzer
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 - Southeast Bulloch
Aug. 25 - Bradwell Institute
Sept. 8 - Pierce County
Sept. 15 - at Calvary Day School*
Sept. 22 – Johnson*
Sept. 28, Thursday - at Groves* (Islands)
Oct. 5 - Savannah Country Day*
Oct. 20 - Long County*
Oct. 27 -- at Beach* (Islands)
Nov. 3 - Savannah Christian*
*Region 1-5A game
All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted
School: Savannah Christian
Mascot: Raiders
Location: Savannah
Head coach: Baker Woodward
Record at school/years: 45-15/five
Overall coaching record/years: 45-15/five
2022 overall/region records: 11-2, 6-1 Region 3-3A; lost in third round of GHSA Class 3A playoffs.
Offensive scheme: spread
Defensive scheme: multiple
Key returning players: DL Elijah Griffin, WR/LB David Bucey, TE/DE Logan Brooking, RB/LB Zo Smalls, OL/DL Noah Lewis, OL/DL Tyson Gross, SB/CB Kenry Wall, RB Jaden Miles, RB/LB Tyler Penrose, OL/DL Isaiah Redmond, Austin Myers, WR/DB Jamari McIvory, Noah Stone, WR/DB Charlie Yannett
Key losses: QB Paulus Zittrauer, OL/DL Jep Hudspeth, OL Jackson Mercer, OL/DL Akeem Lane, SB/WR Jayden Hester, Cole Burnsed, P/WR/CB Matthew Gunn, MLB Austin Saylor
2023 outlook: “Offensively, we are fortunate to have some skilled players returning, but we will have to rely on some young, inexperienced offensive lineman to step up and fill the shoes of the experienced offensive line we had in 2022. Defensively, most of our front seven return and we are expecting them to play fast and physical. Our secondary will have some good speed and experience. Lastly, most of our special teams will remain the same except we will have to replace our punter Matthew Gunn. Overall, I am looking forward to seeing how our juniors and seniors lead this team. It seems like yesterday they were competing for a middle school championship and now they are leading our varsity team.” – Savannah Christian head coach Baker Woodward
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 – at Hilton Head Christian
Aug. 24 – Islands, 7 p.m. (Pooler Stadium)
Sept. 1 – at Marist
Sept. 15 – at Savannah Country Day*
Sept. 22 – Calvary Day* (Pooler Stadium)
Sept. 29 – at Long County*
Oct. 6 – Johnson* (Pooler Stadium)
Oct. 20 – at Beach* (Savannah High)
Oct. 27 – Groves* (Pooler Stadium)
Nov. 2 – at Liberty County*
*Region 3-3A game
All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted
School: Savannah Country Day
Mascot: Hornets
Location: Savannah
Head coach: John Mohring
Record at school/years: 9-12/two
Overall coaching record/years: 15-17/three
2022 overall/region records: 5-5, 3-4 Region 3-3A
Offensive scheme: spread
Defensive scheme: multiple 4-3
Key returning players: QB Barton Mixon, WR Josh Washington, WR Keith James, OL/DL Rooster Bing, K Cash Ramirez, LB Tyler Scott
Key losses: RB Michael Grandy, OL Phil Ajayi
2023 outlook: “After graduating only two seniors, we look to build on last year’s 5-5 season. We will have a new look on offense that is better suited for our personnel. Our defense returns all its starters on defense, including tackling machine Tyler Scott. We beat Jenkins in our spring game 31-14, including a 50-yard field goal by standout all-region kicker Cash Ramirez.” – Savannah Country Day head coach John Mohring
2023 schedule
Aug. 17 – at Windsor Forest (at Savannah High), 7 p.m.
Aug. 24 – at Pinewood Christian
Sept. 1 – Aquinas
Sept. 15 – Savannah Christian*
Sept. 22 – Long County*
Sept. 28 – at Beach* (at Savannah High)
Oct. 5 – at Liberty County*
Oct. 20 – Calvary Day*
Oct. 26, Thursday - at Johnson* (Savannah) 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 – Groves*
*Region 3-3A game
All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted
"So, don't miss out on the latest prep sports news! Each day, the Prep Sports Report posts six to eight school capsules, so be sure to follow them on the internet at prepsportsreport.com, on Facebook, Twitter (@PrepSav), Instagram (savannahsportsreport), or contact them with scores and any outstanding performances at https://prepsportsreport.com/Contact. You won't want to miss a thing!"
PHOTO CREDIT: Georgia Football Helmet Project and school website pages.
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. Dr. David Palmer is the team doctor for Calvary Day School, South Effingham, and Richmond Hill. Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game.
