Week 5 of the high school football season is already here, and region play kicks off around the area this week with all the games involving teams from the Greater Savannah area set to kickoff on Friday, Sept. 18.
Benedictine is set to open its Region 1-5A slate as the Cadets, riding a two-game win streak,go on the road to the face Statesboro (3-0).
South Effingham (3-0) opens its Region 1-6A schedule with visiting Greenbrier.
Richmond Hill has one more non-region game as the undefeated Wildcatshost a South Carolina program in Wando.
Savannah Christian and Savannah Country Day keep their rivalry alivewith a non-region matchup hosted by SCD.
Here's a look at four games to watch and the schedule of games involving Savannah area teams on Friday night,
Sept. 18.
Benedictine (2-1) at Statesboro (3-0), Friday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Benedictine comes off a bye week as the Cadets hit the road to open Region 1-5A play at Statesboro.
The Cadets have bounced back with wins over Hebron Christian and Camden County after a lopsided loss to visiting Toombs County in their opener.
BC running back Stanley Smart Jr. has been on a tear. The senior, who has committed to Virginia Tech, ran for a career-high 192 yards against Hebron and had 154 yards, his second highest rushing game, in the win over Camden. He has rushed for 409 yards and three touchdowns on the season ― averaging 7.9 yards per carry.
Senior quarterback Omari Burse has thrown for 464 yards and seven scores without an interception. His favorite target is his classmate Eron Mallard, who has 12 catches for 303 yards and four scores. The Purdue-bound senior is also a big-time threat in the run game as he has 213 yards rushing and another score, while averaging 13.3 yards per carry.
Junior linebacker Rasheen Jackson is listed at 5-foot-6 and 180 pounds, but has been a big-time performer with the Cadet defense. He had 17 tackles against Camden County and leads the team with 33 stops. Defensive back Peyton Bean, a transfer from Savannah Country Day, has 20 tackles and an interception.
Statesboro opened with a 44-7 win over SE Bulloch, and then beat Burke County 29-22 before a 26-12 win over ECI before the Blue Devils took last week off.
Statesboro is averaging 292 yards rushing per game. Junior DJ Brooks leads the team with 331 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Quarterback Beckham Jarrard has 232 yards rushing and a score and has thrown for 154 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
Senior Caleb Scroggins leads the team with 22 tackles and a pair of sacks.
Greenbrier (1-2) at South Effingham (3-0), Friday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.
South Effingham comes off a bye week ready to put its undefeated record on the line as the Mustangs host Greenbrier in their Region 1-6A opener.
Sophomore quarterback Liam Coburn has been playing well for the Mustangs. He has thrown for 343 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while completing 62% of his throws. He has also run for 97 yards and a score.
The run game has also been strong. Senior Khyran White has battled an injury, but leads the team with 183 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Josh Mims has 119 yards and a rushing score.
Sophomore linebacker Cole McMurry leads the team with 22 tackles and Danny Murtha has 16 stops. Junior Brian Ford has 13 tackles and a pair of interceptions.
Greenbrier's offense is led by senior running back Brennan Bjorkman, who has ran for 312 yards and seven scores. Junior Josh Jefferson has rushed for 182 yards and a score. Quarterback Calvin Pollard has thrown for 296 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
Senior linebacker Chandler Hixon leads the Wolfpack with 38 tackles.
Wando (3-1) at Richmond Hill (4-0), Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m.
Richmond Hill is coming off one of the most remarkable wins in program history. Ware County was attempting a 31-yard field goal to win the game, but Richmond Hill's Shane Tucker blocked it and Eli Grant picked it up and returned it for a 96-yard touchdown as time ran out.
Now the Wildcats try to remain unbeaten as they host Wando, a team from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.
CJ Menzie has made a big impression as the new featured back in the Wildcat offense. He has run for 442 yards and three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Gunner Mobley has thrown for 388 yards with five touchdown passes and two interceptions.
Grant leads the squad with 14 receptions for 225 yards and four scores, and the Liberty University commit is also a difference maker defensively with 18 tackles and a pair of interceptions.
Wando has a balanced offensive attack. Senior Jake Glassberg leads the Warriors with 243 yards rushing and a pair of scores.
Sophomore quarterback Cape Whittaker has thrown for 603 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. His favorite target is junior Ryan Jahn, who has has 12 receptions for 324 yards and four scores.
Savannah Christian (1-3) at Savannah Country Day (0-5), Friday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Savannah Country Day moved from the GHSA to compete in the GIAA this season, but the cross-town rivals still found a spot on their schedules to meet.
Savannah Christian opened with a win over Athens Academy and has lost three straight to Bethesda, Glynn Academy and Fellowship Christian.
Sophomore Wesley Dinkins leads the Raiders with 263 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Quarterback Caden Godbee has thrown for 521 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions, but he left the game with an injury against Fellowship Christian with senior Jim Massey coming in to play.
William Bucey leads the team with 13 catches for 306 yards and five touchdowns.
Senior Ivyn Richardson leads SCPS with 55 tackles and Aiden Frazier has 50 stops.
SCD senior Thomas Holland leads the team with 415 yards rushing and three scores. Quarterback Devin Trawick has thrown for 394 yards and two touchdowns.
Junior William Rhodes leads the Hornets with 45 tackles with four for losses.
The teams have a common opponent in Athens Academy. Savannah Christian won that game 35-13 and SCD lost to Athens Academy 7-6.
Friday, Sept. 18
Wando (S.C.) at Richmond Hill
Bradwell at Glynn Academy *
Effingham County at Lakeside-Evans *
Groves at Ware County *
Evans at Jenkins (MS) *
Windsor Forest at Bryan County
Beach at Toombs County *
Islands at Brantley County *
Johnson at Pierce County *
Savannah Christian at Savannah Country Day
* ― Region game.
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: Four Week 5 Savannah area high school football games to watch
