Five things to look for in Week 6 of Savannah high school football games

The high school football season is starting to get more interesting as region play starts and teams battle for playoff spots.

Week 6 of Friday night lights in the Savannah area promises to be a good one with rivalry games such as Savannah Christian at Calvary Day, and South Effingham at Effingham County on the slate.

Here's a look at five things to watch for this week in Savannah-area high school football.

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Savannah Christian (4-0) at Calvary Day (3-0), 7:30 p.m.

One of the top rivalries in the state continues with the stakes as high as ever as a revitalized Savannah Christian squad comes across town to face a talent-laden Calvary Day team ranked No. 3 in Class 3A by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

There are layers to this series, which Savannah Christian leads 26-17. SCPS coach Baker Woodward, in his fifth season season leading the Raiders, is a former Calvary Day quarterback. His SCPS teams have gone 4-1 over Calvary in his tenure, including a playoff win in 2019.

Calvary Day won last year's matchup 21-0, and the Cavaliers added to the game's intrigue in the offseason when they added former SCPS coach Donald Chumley, who led the Raiders to their only GHSA state crown in 2011 in Class A, as an assistant on the defensive line. Then Calvary hired Russell DeMasi as an offensive coordinator. The former SCPS quarterback played for Chumley in his high school days and was the interim head coach at Savannah State University before being passed over for the head coaching job in April.

The Cavaliers are stacked with Division I talent on both sides of the ball. Junior quarterback Jake Merklinger is a four-star prospect, and his classmate Michael Smith is also a four-star recruit as a tight end. Sophomore Doopah Coleman, who has a number of Power 5 offers, has emerged as one of the top playmakers in the state as a wide receiver. Senior Jalin Scott anchors the line at center.

On defense, UCF commit Troy Ford Jr. is a leader at middle linebacker, with Duke commit Terry Simmons Jr. anchoring the line as a tackle. Linebacker A.J. Butts and defensive back Trevor Strowbridge are doubling up as playmakers offensively at running back.

Savannah Christian has outscored its four opponents 217-25 behind the big-play ability of sophomore running backs Zo Smalls and Kenry Wall, with senior Paulus Zittrauer doing a great job running the show at quarterback.

Four-star defensive lineman Elijah Griffin has been dominating up front alongside senior Akeem Lane. Junior linebacker David Bucey leads the team in tackles with 34 and interceptions with three and is also the squad's leading receiver. Sophomore Logan Brooking has 6.5 sacks.

Both teams moved up from Class A Private to Class 3A, and this will be their first meeting as members of Region 3-3A.

South Effingham (2-1) at Effingham County (2-2), 7:30 p.m.

This cross-county rivalry is a huge event every year with crowds from 8,000-10,000 in attendance. Effingham County leads the overall series 16-12, and the Rebels have won five of the last seven meetings — including a 34-0 road win last year.

Junior Nate Hayes has thrown for 651 yards with four touchdowns and one interception for the Rebels. His favorite target in blue-chip recruit Keion Wallace, a senior with 13 catches for 235 yards and three scores. Jayden Evans leads the team with 259 yards rushing.

The defense is led by senior tackle Keysean McCarr and defensive backs Timmy Brown and Ashley Thompson, who both have offers from Air Force Academy.

South Effingham has already equaled its win total from last season. The Mustangs have thrown the ball only 10 times all season but average 226 yards per game on the ground.

Senior Justin Martell leads the ground game with 211 yards and three scores, averaging 8.8 yards per carry.

Benedictine (2-2) at Bolles School (2-2), 7:30 p.m.

Benedictine leads the overall series 6-1, but the teams haven't met since 1953, when the Cadets won in Jacksonville, Florida, 40-12, according the Georgia High School Football Historians Association.

BC is coming off a bye after losing to Ware County in "The Swamp" in a game in which the elements played a big factor.

The Bulldogs have lost two in a row after dropping games against Brunswick (20-3) and last week in a 27-14 setback against Trinity Christian Academy.

Sophomore Emmett Grzebin leads the Bulldogs offense with 409 yards and four scores.

Benedictine should be chomping at the bit to get back on the field. Junior Luke Kromenhoek is due for a big game at quarterback, and his favorite target, Minnesota commit Za'Quan Bryan, has been on top of his game all season.

Ack Edwards has been getting tough yards on the ground, and sophomore Thomas Blackshear and Na'Seir Samuel have emerged as big-play men offensively.

The defense is anchored by juniors Bryce Baker and Wilkes Albert at linebacker, with senior Cole Semien holding things down up front.

Liberty County (2-2) at Johnson (3-1) at Savannah High, 7:30 p.m.

This is a big Region 3-3A game for the Atom Smashers, who are off to their first 3-1 start since 2000 under fifth-year coach Kenderrick Bonner.

Amarion Scott leads Johnson with 398 yards rushing and four touchdowns after wracking up a season-high 175 yards and two scores in a 35-17 win over Beach last week. Senior Samari Dowdy has 141 yards receiving and three scores and 103 yards rushing and two more touchdowns.

The defense is led by Mikaree Stafford at linebacker and Michael Ellison III in the defensive backfield. Five players have intercepted passes for the Atom Smashers.

Liberty County played Calvary Day tough for a while Friday before the visiting Cavs pulled away for a 48-27 win.

The Panthers offense is led by talented junior quarterback Carlos Singleton, who has a solid playmaker at receiver in Ron Golden.

Last year, Liberty County beat Johnson 22-20 in overtime at Islands Stadium in a game beset by penalties. Johnson was flagged 27 times for 219 yards, and Liberty County had 11 penalties for 115 yards.

Memorial Day (1-2) at St. Andrew's (1-3), 7:30 p.m.

Memorial Day is coming off a 45-13 win over Notre Dame Academy as junior Tyler Kindle was 20-of-26 passing for 302 yards and six touchdowns. He connected with junior Julien Zamora on four of those scoring passes to give first-year coach Jaha Taylor his first win.

St. Andrew's had a bye last week after the Lions beat Hilton Head Prep 31-19 for their first win on Sept. 10th. The Lions have been led by the Edwards brothers on offense. Sophomore Zayden Edwards is a dual-threat quarterback, with his older brother, Zyere, serving as a playmaking slot man for the Lions.

Memorial Day leads the overall series 12-5. St. Andrew's took the last meeting last season with a 35-14 win.

Local high school football schedule

Sept. 23

Richmond Hill at Coffee

South Effingham at Effingham County

Bradwell Institute at MCA

Wayne County at Jenkins (Memorial Stadium)

Benedictine at Bolles School (Jacksonville, Florida)

Groves at Beach (Islands)

Savannah Christian at Calvary Day

Liberty County at Johnson (Savannah High)

Savannah Country Day at Long County

Windsor Forest at Vidalia

Telfair County at Bryan County

Savannah High at Bulloch Academy

Memorial Day at St. Andrew's

Palmetto Christian at Bethesda (Daffin Park)

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah high school football: What to look for in Week 6