Four games to watch in Week 10 of the high school football season in Greater Savannah area
It's hard to believe that Week 10 of the high school football season is already here. There are some important games on the slate in the Greater Savannah area this week as teams fight for region titles and playoff berths.
Here are four games to keep an eye on, along with the schedule of this week's games.
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Wayne County at Benedictine, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium
It's a matchup of Class 4A top-10 teams (as ranked by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) as BC hosts the Yellow Jackets in a Region 3-4A matchup.
The Cadets (5-2, 2-0 in region play) are at No. 5 after knocking off previously undefeated Burke County before dominating again in a 52-7 win over Southeast Bulloch last week.
Wayne County (6-1, 2-0) is coming off a 31-24 overtime win over visiting New Hampstead.
Benedictine has been finding its groove in recent weeks as the defense continues to excel while the offense is starting to click. Junior quarterback Luke Kromenhoek has been on top of his game with eight touchdown passes in his last three outings. Last week he was 15 of 20 for 250 yards and four scores in the win over SEB.
Senior Za'Quan Bryan has been recovering from a leg injury, but the Minnesota commit is still one of the best offensive weapons in the state with 32 catches for 344 yards and seven total touchdowns. Sophomore Thomas Blackshear has emerged as one of the top playmakers in Georgia; he has 23 catches for 378 yards and six scores.
Junior Na'Seir Samuel leads the team in rushing with 450 yards (averaging 11.8 yards per carry) and has a pair of touchdowns.
The defense is allowing just 10 points per game. Jeremiah Thomas and Cole Semien help anchor the offensive line, with Wilkes Albert, Bryce Baker and Jonathan Hardy forming one of the strongest linebacking crews in the state. The defensive backfield, led by Bryan, also has been excellent, with Cody Brinson leading the unit with three interceptions.
Wayne County has a strong run game led by Matthew Fuller, who had 130 yards rushing in the win over New Hampstead. The junior has 897 yards and 14 scores on the year.
Benedictine coach Danny Britt said the Yellow Jackets have impressive size, and are well coached under former Georgia Southern quarterback Jaybo Shaw.
The winner of this game will be in the driver's seat to win the region title. BC leads the overall series 16-14-2, and has won the last four meetings, including a 51-7 win last year and a 41-29 win in 2020.
Savannah Country Day at Calvary Day, 7:30 p.m.
These traditional crosstown rivals are set to meet in Class 3A for the first time in a Region 3-3A matchup.
Calvary Day (6-0, 4-0) is ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the AJC and will be heavily favored in this one.
Junior Jake Merklinger, a four-star prospect, has been spot-on at quarterback, completing 62% of his passes for 766 yards with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Sophomore Doopah Coleman is averaging 20.8 yards per catch and has eight total touchdowns. Michael Smith, a four-star tight end recruit, has four touchdown catches among his 10 receptions.
The run game is averaging 168 yards per game, led by A.J. Butts, who has six rushing scores and 276 yards.
The defense, led by defensive tackle Terry Simmons and linebacker Troy Ford, is allowing 15 points per game.
SCD (3-4, 1-3) has stayed competitive despite having less than 30 players on the roster.
Senior Michael Grandy has seven rushing touchdowns and 642 yards on the ground, and freshman Josh Washington is one of the top two-way players in the city. Junior Rooster Bing anchors both lines for the Hornets, who trail in the overall series to Calvary 23-11.
Liberty County at Long County, 7:30 p.m. Friday
This is a big one in the fight for a playoff spot in Region 3-3A. Long County (5-2, 3-1) entered the week in third place behind Calvary Day and Savannah Christian, with Liberty County (4-3, 2-2) in fifth with a loss against fourth-place Johnson.
Long County bounced back from a 54-20 loss to Savannah Christian by shutting out visiting Beach 44-0 last week. Junior running back Ahmari Douglas is among the rushing leaders in the state with 1,169 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The Panthers had a bye week after a 30-6 win over SCD. Quarterback Carlos Singleton has been an offensive star as the junior has thrown for 1,521 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions, while rushing for 249 yards and two scores. He has a pair of top-notch receivers in James Summersett (24 catches for 507 yards and four scores) and Ron Golden (31 catches for 525 yards and five touchdowns).
St. Andrew's at Pinewood Christian
Both teams enter their first GIAA AAAA/AAA Region 2 game with 4-3 records.
St. Andrew's has an offense led by the Edwards brothers as sophomore quarterback Zayden Edwards and senior slot man Zyere Edwards have been putting up big numbers all season under first-year coach Kevin Prisant, who came over after a long stint as an assistant at Benedictine.
Pinewood quarterback Banks Booth has thrown for 1,274 yards and 13 scores with four interceptions. His top target is Walker Todd, who has 39 catches for 556 yards and four scores.
Week 10 high school football schedule
Oct. 20 (Thursday)
Coffee at Jenkins (Memorial)
New Hampstead at Islands (Islands)
Oct. 21
Brunswick at South Effingham
Bradwell Institute at Statesboro
Wayne County at Benedictine (Memorial)
Beach at Savannah Christian (Pooler Stadium)
Savannah Country Day at Calvary Day
Groves at Johnson (Islands)
Liberty County at Long County
Windsor Forest at Pierce County
Screven County at Savannah High (Savannah High)
St. Andrew's at Pinewood
Memorial Day at Thomas Jefferson
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: 4 games to watch as season winds down
