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 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 I - High school football capsules 2023 season preview
GHSA Region 3- 1A
School: Bryan County
Mascot: Redskins
Location: Pembroke
Head coach: Cherard Freeman
Record at school/years: 9-19/3
Overall coaching record/years: 31-69/10
2022 overall/region records: 6-5/2-2 Region 3-A Division 1; lost in the first round of GHSA Class A playoffs.
Offensive scheme: Wing-T
Defensive scheme: 3-4
Key returning players: WR/SS/LS Tanner Ennis; RB/MLB Austin Clemons, QB/OLB Sean Kelly Hill; Jarcari Carni, C Jett Lewis, OT/DE Johnathan Good, OG/MLB Luke Holcolmbe
2023 outlook: "We are trying to play for the region championship and make a deep run in the playoffs." – Bryan County head coach Cherard Freeman
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 – at Lincoln County
Aug. 25 – at Treutlen
Sept. 1 – Wheeler County
Sept. 15 – at Portal
Sept. 22 – at Telfair County
Sept. 29 – Montgomery County
Oct. 6 – at Metter*
Oct. 13 – Screven County*
Oct. 27 – at Savannah High*, noon (Savannah High)
Nov. 11 – Claxton*
*Region 3-A Division I game
All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
School: Savannah High
Mascot: Blue Jackets
Location: Savannah
Head coach: Anthony "Bud" Tolliver
Record at school/years: first year
Overall coaching record/years: first year
2022 overall/region records: 0-10, 0-4 Region 3-A Division I
Offensive scheme: gun-T
Defensive scheme: 4-4
Key returning players: WR/CB Terrance Edwards, WR/CB Javion Davis, WR Trevon Harmon, RB/MLB Stephen Fox Jr., TE/DE Nyheem Biggins, WR/CB Alijah Williams, WR/LB Makeen Mervin, FB/DT Corey Robinson, OG/DT Quentin Brown
Key losses: WR/TE/CB Khaleel Polite, WR/CB Kenneth Williams
2023 outlook: "This is projected to be the best season 'The High' has had in the last few years. We have a great group of kids and talented at the skill positions. The defense returns some key guys and poises to get us some stops this year. Offensively, we're hoping to really put defenses in conflict with what we can do out of the different packages and personnel we have. We also have some transfers that will come in and make an immediate impact and we are deep with underclassmen." – Savannah High head coach Anthony "Bud" Tolliver.
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 or 19 – at Josey
Aug. 25 – at Richmond Academy
Sept. 1 – at Groves (Memorial Stadium)
Sept. 8 – Bulter (Savannah High)
Sept. 15 – Cross Creek (Savannah High)
Sept. 23 – Saturday - Bulloch Academy (Savannah High)
Oct. 6 -- at Claxton*
Oct. 13 – Metter* (Savannah High)
Oct. 20 – at Screven County*
Oct. 27 – Bryan County* (Savannah High)
*Region 3-A Division I game
All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.
GHSA Region 3-AA
School: Windsor Forest
Mascot: Knights
Location: Savannah
Head coach: Jeb Stewart
Record at school/years: 12-16/three
Overall coaching record/years: 17-31/6
2022 overall/region records: 1-9/0-6
Offensive scheme: Spread
Defensive scheme: Multiple
Key returning players: Zach Patterson, Victor Walker, Kendall Carter, Trokon Johnson, Marquise Lonnon
2023 outlook: "We have a tough schedule this year." – Windsor Forest High School head coach Jeb Stewart
2023 schedule
Aug. 17, Thursday -- Savannah Country Day (Savannah High)
Aug. 25 -- at New Hampstead (Pooler)
Sept. 1 -- at Johnson (Savannah High)
Sept. 7, Thursday -- Islands (Savannah High)
Sept. 22 -- Vidalia (Savannah High)
Sept. 29 -- Tattnall County* (Savannah High)
Oct. 6 -- at Brantley County*
Oct. 13 -- at Appling County*
Oct. 20 -- Pierce County* (Memorial)
Oct. 27 -- at Toombs County*
*Region 3-AA Division I game
All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
GHSA Region 1-5A
School: Bradwell Institute
Mascot: Tigers
Location: Hinesville, GA
Head coach: DeShon Brock
Record at school/years: 1-18/two
Overall coaching record/years: 34-29/7
2022 overall/region records: 1-9/1-4
Offensive scheme: Spread
Defensive scheme: 4-2-5
Key returning players: LB Markel Fields, OL Antonio Walthour, QB Christopher Garrett, SR/DB Jahzhia Thomas, C/DE Elyjah Thurmon, WR/SS Bryant Thomas, Tyone Jones
2023 outlook: "We're looking to make the playoffs and turn the program around." – Bradwell Institute head caoch Deshon Brock
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 -- at Wayne County
Aug. 25 -- at Liberty County
Sept. 1 -- New Hampstead
Sept. 8 -- South Effingham
Sept. 22 -- McIntosh County Academy
Oct. 6 -- at Coffee*
Oct. 13 -- at Ware County*
Oct. 20 – Statesboro*
Oct. 27 -- at Jenkins* (Memorial)
Nov. 3 – Greenbrier*
*Region 1-5A game
All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
School: Jenkins
Mascot: Warriors
Location: Savannah
Head coach: Tony Welch
Record at school/years: 10-12/two
Overall coaching record/years: 116-81/17
2022 overall/region records: 4-7, 3-2 Region 1-5A; lost in the first round of GHSA Class 5A playoffs.
Offensive scheme: wing-T/multiple set-RPO
Defensive scheme: 4-3
Key returning players: TE/DE Lorenzo Cowan, QB Jeremiah James, OT/DT Issac "Tookie" Smith, Cameron Thompson, RB/CB Jayaun Albert, RB/OLB Sylvester Harris, WR/DB Trenton Rhodes, Marquis Bush, Khayden Jones, WR/DB Jashawn Davis, Domonique Johnson, Deshone Green, Reico Collins, LB Billy Johnson, Johnny Sheffield, Amontay Crawford
Key losses: TE/DE Tavion Gadson, QB Troy Smith, RB Joshua Pridgen, CB Keshon Leggett, Timothy Randolph, Michael Becton, K/P John Seidensticker, Elliot Hutchinson, Joshua Gadson.
2023 outlook: "We are preparing to win our region and advance out of the first round of the GHSA state playoffs. Once again, we will have one of the toughest schedules in the state of Georgia. There were four teams on our schedule that played for the state championship in their classification, and seven teams on our schedule were in the Elite Eight. In Class 5A, we played Ware County and Warner Robins extremely tough (last season), and they played (for) the Class 5A state championship. Our future is bright. We are just trying to get better each day. Our motto for our student-athletes is that we have a "chance and choice" each day. God gives us another opportunity to wake up, and as a team, we have the choice of getting better and making great decisions. If we do that, we will be fine." – Jenkins head coach Tony Welch.
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 – Benedictine (at Memorial Stadium)
Aug. 25 – at Bluffton (S.C.)
Sept. 1 – at Richmond Hill
Sept. 15 – at Carrollton
Sept. 22 – at Wayne County
Oct. 6 – Ware County* (at Memorial Stadium)
Oct. 13 – at Greenbrier*
Oct. 20 – at Coffee*
Oct. 28 – Bradwell Institute* (at Memorial Stadium) 6 p.m.
Nov. 3 – at Statesboro*
*Region 1-5A game
All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
GHSA Region 2-6A
School: Effingham County High School
Mascot: Rebels
Location: Springfield, Georgia
Head Coach: John Ford
Record at school/years: 13-8/two
Overall coaching record/years: 75-25/9
2022 overall/region records: 7-4/5-1 Region 3-6A; lost in first round of GHSA Class 6A playoffs.
Offensive scheme: Spread
Defensive scheme: Multiple
Key returning players: QB Nate Hayes, RB/LB Jayden Evans, LB/RB AJ Butts, DL Christian Dillon, Brady Neglan, OL Josh Ford
2023 outlook: "We're a young team playing a tough non-region schedule, but I'm hoping we can improve each week as we get ready for region play." – Effingham County High School hesd coach John Ford
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 - Richmond Hill
Aug. 26 - Saturday - Burke County (@Ga Southern), 6 p.m.
Sept. 1 - Statesboro
Sept. 8 - at Southeast Bulloch
Sept. 22 - at South Effingham*
Sept. 29 - Glynn Academy*
Oct. 6 - at Grovetown*
Oct. 13 - at Evans*
Oct. 27 - Lakeside, Evans*
Nov. 3 – Brunswick*
*Region 2- 6A game
All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
School: South Effingham
Mascot: Mustangs
Location: Guyon, GA
Head coach: Loren Purvis
Record at school/years: 0-0/first
Overall coaching record/years: 0-0/1st season
2022 overall/region records: 4-5/2-4
Offensive scheme: Wing-T
Defensive scheme: Stack
Key returning players: Qb Kaden DeGenaro, TE/LB Jeremiah Washington, LB/DB Damyon McFarlin, LB Chase Whittle, RB Kaden Ward, WR/DB Ashton Troutman, NG Jaiden Washburn
2023 outlook: "I think one of our goals is to make the playoffs this year and sneak into one of those top four spots. Last year, we won four games, and a lot of our kids are back. In my opinion, this year's team is better as a team. I'm excited to hopefully get more than four wins and make the playoffs. That's our goal: to play 11 ball games this year." – South Effingham head coach Loren Purvis.
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 – Vidalia
Sept. 1 -- at Islands (Islands High)
Sept. 8 -- at Bradwell Institute
Sept. 22 -- Effingham County*
Sept. 29 -- Screven County
Oct. 6 -- at Glynn Academy*
Oct. 13 -- at Lakeside, Evans*
Oct. 20 -- at Brunswick*
Oct. 27 – Grovetown*
Nov. 3 – Evans*
*Region 3-A Division I game
All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
GHSA Region 1-7A
School: Richmond Hill
Mascot: Wildcats
Location: Richmond Hill
Head coach: Matt LeZotte
Record at school/years: 46-40/eight
Overall coaching record/years: 74-56/12
2022 overall/region records: 3-7/0-4 Region 1-7A
Offensive scheme: spread multiple
Defensive scheme: Multiple
Key returning players: Offense -- Nick Bliss, Caleb Easterling, Brandon McDonald, Ashtin Fisher, Landen Hurst, Thomas Zimbalatti, Brody Miller, Cam Jackson, Colton Sanchez, Andrew Matthews, Kirk Scott.
Defense -- Gabe Bauman, Andy Ferrer, Lee Johson, Phoenix Emberton, Tad Christman, Brian Ruland, Kobe Mitchell, Aiden Grant, Myleek Gould, Brandon McDonald, Caleb Easterling.
Special teams -- Blake Williams, Jaxon Wagner, Darvante Menzie.
Key losses: QB Ty Goldrick, WR Ravon Grant, Dontae Goodner, RB Zion Gillard.
2023 outlook: "The Wildcats return 10 starters on offense and 10 starters on defense, including their entire offensive line and defensive secondary. The special teams led by Blake Williams will continue to be a bright spot for the Wildcats. The Cats finished with a 3-7 record during their first season in Region 1-7A and look to continue to compete in 2023." – Richmond Hill High School head coach Matt Lezotte
2023 schedule
Aug. 18 – at Effingham County
Aug. 25 – Ware County
Sept. 1 – Jenkins
Sept. 9 – vs. Creekside (St. Johns, Fla.) HS at Glynn County, 4 p.m.
Sept. 15 – New Hampstead
Sept. 22 – Coffee
Oct. 6 – at Camden County*
Oct. 13 – Valdosta*
Oct. 27 – Lowndes County*
Nov. 3 – at Colquitt County*
*Region 1-7A game
All games are at 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.
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