Three big-time Savannah area football games to watch in Week 12 of the high school season

Posted by Admin October 30, 2024 Football

There are two weeks left in the regular season as high school football teams throughout the state are competing to set the stage for postseason runs. The Georgia High School Association postseason begins on Nov. 15, with the state championship games set to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta from Dec. 15-18.

Benedictine hosts New Hampstead in its regular season finale, while Richmond Hill goes on the road for its last regular season game at Colquitt County.

Savannah Christian hosts Toombs County Friday in a battle of unbeatens to decide a region crown.

Several area teams are facing crucial games to clinch playoff berths. Here’s a look at three of the top games to watch involving teams from the Greater Savannah area, along with a full schedule for Week 12.

Savannah-area football games to watch in Week 12

New Hampstead (3-5, 1-2 in Region 1-4A) at Benedictine (4-4, 2-2), Thursday, Oct. 31, at Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.

This is the final regular season game for Benedictine and the second-to-last for New Hampstead, which closes the regular season out at Ware County on Nov. 8.

Benedictine is coming off a tough 31-27 setback last week against visiting Perry, the defending Class 4A state champion, which clinched the Region 1-4A crown with the victory.

BC coach Danny Britt was upset with some late mistakes that he said cost the Cadets in the loss, but was proud of the fight his team showed against another top-notch opponent.

“We were obviously frustrated losing a game we should have won against a top-notch opponent, but we came back to practice yesterday with a great attitude and looked focused,” BC coach Danny Britt said. “Apparently there is a way that if we lost this game, we could still get in the playoffs, but we’re looking at this one against New Hampstead as a win-or-go-home game.”

The Cadets got a solid performance from quarterback Omari Burse, the sophomore who was making just his second career start in place of junior Stephen Cannon, who was sidelined with an injury in a loss to Ware County.

Burse was 14 of 29 passing for 289 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He had a 57-yard touchdown pass to Stanley Smart Jr., who also ran for 61 yards. Bubba Frazier had 97 yards combined rushing and receiving, while senior Jack Ganem, who has been a big-play man all season, had four catches for 87 yards and rushed for 45 yards on six carries.

Miami-commit Third Scroggins had four tackles and two more sacks — giving him 14.5 on the season. Kam Cody added six stops and a sack. He has 5.5 sacks on the year.

New Hampstead is coming off a 40-7 win over Wayne County. Quarterback Ra’Shawn Truell had another big game by completing 14 of 18 throws for 280 yards and four touchdowns. Ari Theriot had four catches for 118 yards and a touchdown and Mason Brown had two scoring grabs.

Truell has thrown for 2,242 yards on the season with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. His favorite target has been senior Kamari Maxwell, who has 59 catches for 912 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ben Hockman has 25 receptions for 555 yards and four scores.

Last season, Truell threw for 533 yards with four touchdowns and an interception against BC, but the Cadets pulled out a 39-31 victory.

“Truell has such a strong arm, and he’s very accurate with his throws,” Britt said. “He sees the field so well and is tough to play against.”

Toombs County (7-0, 2-0 in Region 3A Division I) at Savanah Christian (8-0, 3-0), Friday at Pooler Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

This is shaping up to be a big-time battle as Toombs County, ranked No. 1 in Class A Division I by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, while the Raiders are No. 1 in the Class 3A-A Private rankings.

Toombs County averages 262 yards rushing per game, with senior Dabvyn Wadley leading the team with 797 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Quarterback TJ Stanley, a senior committed to Georgia State, has thrown for 1,162 yards with 13 touchdowns and four picks, while rushing for 260 yards and seven touchdowns.

His favorite target is Lagonza Hayward, who has 29 catches for 354 yards and four scores. The senior is committed to Tennessee as a safety. Toombs County is allowing just 12.6 points per game.

Savannah Christian is coming off a 48-12 win at Vidalia. Kenry Wall racked up four touchdowns as the senior ran back the opening kickoff for a score and had three touchdown receptions. Blaise Thomas threw for three touchdowns in the win and Zo Smalls rushed for 92 yards and a score.

Smalls has rushed for 1,177 yards and 18 touchdowns on the season, leading a ground attack averaging 273.5 yards per game. He has 4,805 yards rushing in his career.

Savannah Christian’s defense is one of the best in the state, across all classifications. The unit, anchored by a front seven featuring UGA commit Elijah Griffin, 5-star sophomore LaDamion Guyton, Logan Brooking, a senior committed to Clemson, along with Isaiah Redmond and linebacker Jaden Miles, is allowing just 8.2 points per game.

Richmond Hill (7-2, 2-2 in Region 1-6A) at Colquitt County (6-3, 3-1)

A win would clinch a playoff spot for Richmond Hill. Colquitt County needs to win this game, and hope Lowndes beats Valdosta to secure a region title.

Richmond Hill knocked off previously undefeated Valdosta 35-14 at home two weeks ago, but lost to host Lowndes 28-7 last week.

The Wildcats have a stellar run game led by senior Joshua Ulrich-Troupe, who has rushed for 1,139 yards and 16 scores on the season. The versatile weapon Caleb Easterling has 516 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on the season, with a team-high 1,237 all-purpose yards. Quarterback Kirk Scott has rushed for 473 yards and six scores, and thrown five scoring passes.

Colquitt County, ranked No 10 among Class 6A teams in the state by the AJC, has a strong run game led by senior Day’Shawn Brown, who has 935 yards and nine touchdowns and junior Ty’Jaevian Lamar, who has 816 yards rushing and 10 scores.