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Georgia High School Association Class AAA - Region 3 released their All-Region football awards and teams on Friday. Every team received a first or second-team selection.

 

The region coaches voted on all selections. Jake Merklinger of Calvary Day School was Player of the Year, Long County's Amari Douglas was the Offensive Player of the Year, and Savannah Christian Elijah Griffin was the Defensive Player of the Year. From Savannah Christian, David Bucey was the Athlete of the Year, and Calvary Day Schools Mark Stroud was the Coach of the Year.

 

 

Merklinger did not have a sophomore jinx season. As a junior he came on strong this season, leading the Cavaliers to a 10-0 region record, the region championship, a state quarterfinal appearance, and an overall 11-1 mark for 2022.

 

The junior lined up at quarterback and was responsible for 36 touchdowns on the season, which included four rushing. Jake completed 97 passes out of 145 attempts for 1987 yards for a completion rate of 67% with a quarterback rating of 143.8 and 32 touchdown passes.

 

Amari Doulas, a junior out of Long  County, scored the Offensive player of the Year and had impressive final numbers. Douglas had 1,627 yards rushing on 181 carries, averaging 147.9 a game, 8.7 yards a carry, and 17 touchdowns, the longest being 87 yards.

 

The defensive award went to Savannah Christian Prep sophomore defensive end Elijah Griffin. The highly recognized footballer left an impact on the field. On the season, Griffin was in on 82 tackles, 39 were solo tackles, 30 for a loss, and 14.5 were quarterback sacks. He also had two fumble recoveries.

 

David Bucey, a junior from Savannah Christian, was the Athlete of the Year. What is the Athlete of the Year? It is the player that can play offense, defense, and on special teams. David led the Raider's offense in receiving. Bucey had 40 receptions for 787 yards, averaging 19 yards a catch with nine touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, Bucey was in on 100 tackles, 48 solos, 18 for a loss, four sacks, five interceptions, and two caused fumbles. David was second on the team in all-purpose yards, which combines rushing, receiving, kickoff returns, punt returns, and interception return yards. He finished the season with 1,037 all-purpose yards.

 

The Coach of the Year went to Mark Stroud. He has been a head coach for 31 years. This year Calvary won the GHSA Class AAA Region 3 undefeated, Stroud's ninth region title, the fourth at Calvary. During the second round of the GHSA state playoffs this year, Stroud notched the 250th win of his career.

 

GHSA Class 3-3 Region Awards

Region Player of Year: Jake Merklinger (Calvary) 

Region Offensive Player of Year: Ahmari Douglas (Long Co.)

Region Defensive Player of Year: Elijah Griffin (Savannah Christian)

Region Athlete of Year: David Bucey (Savannah Christian) 

Region Coach of the Year: Mark Stroud (Calvary)

 

GHSA Class 3-3 Region 1st Team Offense

QB- Carlos Singleton (Liberty)

RB- Zo Smalls (Savannah Christian)

RB- Michael Grandy (Sav. Country Day) 

WR- Ron Golden (Liberty) 

WR- Edward Coleman (Calvary)

WR- Joshua Washington (Sav. Country Day)

WR- Caden Arnold (Calvary)

TE- Mike Smith (Calvary)

OL- Jalin Scott (Calvary) 

OL- Jep Hudspeth (Savannah Christian) 

OL- Ho'o Naki (Long) 

OL- Phil Ajayi (Sav. Country Day) 

OL- Jaden Boone (Johnson) 

K- Cash Ramirez (Sav. Country Day) 

ATH- Samari Dowdy (Johnson) 

 

GHSA Class 3-3 Region 2nd Team Offense

QB- Paulus Zittrauer (Savannah Christian) 

RB- AJ Butts (Calvary)

RB- Amarion Scott (Johnson) 

WR- Ryan Lovett (Beach)

WR- Ja'Quawn Washington (Groves)

WR- Keith James (Sav. Country Day)

WR- Aidan O'Neil (Groves)

TE- Logan Brooking (Savannah Christian) 

OL- David Petty (Johnson) 

OL- Jayden Newton (Calvary)

OL- Jasiah Bradwell (Liberty) 

OL- Cole Burnsed (Savannah Christian) 

OL- Jacob Hewitt (Long) 

ATH- Kenry Wall (Savannah Christian)

K- Ethan Byrd (Savannah Christian)

 

GHSA Class 3-3 Region 1st Team Defense

DL- Terry Simmons (Calvary) 

DL- Walter Mathis (Calvary) 

DL- Akeem Lane (Savannah Christian) 

DL-Rooster Bing (Sav. Country Day)

DL- Demarai Booker (Liberty)

LB- Troy Ford (Calvary)

LB- Jordan Davis (Calvary)

LB- Tyler Scott (Sav. Country Day)

LB- Kenny Pickens (Long) 

LB- Mi'Karee Stafford (Johnson) 

DB- Trevor Strowbridge (Calvary) 

DB- Michael Ellison III (Johnson) 

DB- Jamar Joseph (Liberty) 

DB- Keshawn Smith (Long) 

DB- Jayden Hester (Savannah Christian) 

P- Matthew Gunn (Savannah Christian) 

ATH- James Summersett (Liberty) 

 

GHSA Class 3-3 Region2nd Team Defense

DL- Noah Range (Long) 

DL- Jahzir Williams (Liberty)

DL- Kamerion Lanigan (Calvary)

DL- Brooks Kleinpeter (Sav. Country Day)

DL- Dakari Smith (Beach)

LB- Steven Wyatt (Long) 

LB- Brody Dawson (Calvary) 

LB- Jaden Miles (Savannah Christian) 

LB- Austin Saylor (Savannah Christian) 

DB- Chris Hatfield (Long)

DB- Kyan Parker (Liberty) 

DB- Jamari McIvory (Savannah Christian)

DB- Jaden Jones (Johnson) 

DB- Anthony Cooper (Johnson) 

P- Athon Herrin (Sav. Country Day) 

ATH- Brian Wells (Groves) 

 

GHSA Class 3-3 Region Honorable Mention

OL- John Avino (Savannah Country Day), Keith Burno (Liberty), Ricardo Bright (Beach), Michael Ordonez (Groves), Jackson Mercer (Savannah Christian), Tyson Gross (Savannah Christian), John Offer (Calvary), Tyler Padgett (Calvary), Tyler Snipes (Calvary)

QB- Barton Mixon (Savannah Country Day, Demetrius Holloway (Beach)

RB- Paul Brown (Liberty), Sidney Simmons (Beach), Tyler Penrose (Savannah Christian), Christian Glenn (Long), Joe Saddler (Long)

WR- Aaron Moore (Beach), Marquas Bythewood (Groves), Noah Gilliam (Calvary)

TE- Boone Wiesner (Savannah Country Day), EJ Portela (Long) 

K- Trey Aiello (Liberty), Wilmer Ruiz (Beach)

DL- Dewayne Allen (Liberty), Austin Myers (Savannah Christian), Jay'Quan Johnson (Long)

LB- De'Ontae Grant (Liberty), JaShawn Lovett (Johnson), Isiah Scott (Johnson), Jadarius Reid (Groves), Cutter Powell (Calvary)

DB- Shareefe Morgan (Beach), E'Bine Griffin (Johnson), Ronald Smith Jr. (Johnson), Jamori Taylor (Johnson), Alex Cason (Long), Sam Anderson (Calvary), Sean Stoddard (Calvary)

Ath- De'Andre Jones (Beach), Malachi Walker (Groves)

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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!