Sometimes the numbers only tell part of the story.
For Savannah Christian senior William Bucey, 163 receiving yards and three touchdowns against Glynn Academy last Friday night certainly get your attention.
Five catches. Three went for touchdowns.
But to understand why that night meant a little more, you have to go back several years.
Savannah Christian senior William Bucey scores one of his three touchdowns against Glynn Academy on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. Bucey finished with five catches for 163 yards in the Raiders’ last game. (Photo by Katherine Sandoz)
Bucey has spent a lot of his football career trying to get healthy and stay healthy.
Savannah Christian head coach Baker Woodward said the injuries go all the way back to Bucey’s middle school days.
“Honestly, it kind of dates back to middle school. Like, he’s really never finished the season with us, you know, since middle school. He’s had something,” Woodward said.
That can wear on a young athlete.
Practices missed. Games watched instead of played. Seasons that did not go the way you pictured them.
But Bucey kept coming back.
“There have definitely been a couple of times, especially in my most recent years, when I thought about whether football was going to work out,” Bucey said. “I always trusted God, and I know that a lot of people are counting on me. I think God just gave me too many gifts and abilities to quit.”
Woodward saw the work being put in when nobody was keeping stats.
“He’s worked extremely hard getting stronger,” Woodward said.
The Raiders also made changes in their offseason training after dealing with injuries throughout the program last season. For Bucey, getting stronger and giving himself the best chance to stay on the field became especially important.
Woodward believes all that time away from football gave his senior receiver a little extra motivation.
“He loves football. He loves the game, and, you know, obviously, he’s been motivated a great deal by being on the sidelines all these years,” Woodward said.
Now Bucey is getting his opportunity.
Through three games, the senior has 10 catches for 239 yards and four touchdowns. He is averaging 23.9 yards every time he catches the football.
And he is not just playing receiver.
Bucey also plays defensive back. Against Glynn Academy, he added an interception to go along with his three touchdown catches.
His breakout came last Friday night against the Terrors. It was the kind of night that stands out on a stat sheet.
Savannah Christian senior William Bucey looks to the sideline for a signal during the Raiders’ game against Glynn Academy on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Katherine Sandoz)
For Bucey, though, it might mean a little more than that.
“It really showed me that my potential would be great,” Bucey said. “One thing about that game is that I had to be a leader. I couldn’t show that I was giving up. One thing I haven’t done through my process and through my years is give up. That’s really what I’m all about.”
Woodward summed it up pretty simply.
“He’s working hard, and his hard work’s paying off,” Woodward said.
There is still plenty of football left.
Savannah Christian is only three games into the season, and Bucey and the Raiders return to the field Friday against Fellowship Christian at Georgia Southern’s Paulson Stadium.
For a senior who has spent too much of his football career trying to get back onto the field, the goal now is pretty simple.
Stay there.
And make this last season count.
“I definitely want to be a leader on the team,” Bucey said. “I want to show the younger guys that nothing’s impossible. I’d like to get some offers. Two thousand all purpose yards is my goal, and I want to win a state championship. We’re underdogs this year, and I think we can show a lot of people that we can come up and scare them.”
Photos courtesy of Morris & Co. (weight room) and Katherine Sandoz (action).
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Optim Orthopedics presents Prep Sports Report's 2026 high school football coverage.
Optim Orthopedics wants you in the game.
Keeping Savannah-area athletes healthy and ready for gameday all season long.
Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent's Academy).
