It's finally here.
The highly-anticipated 2026 high school football season kicks off in the Greater Savannah area this week.
There are a number of teams who are looking to make playoff runs this year ― led by Benedictine and Calvary Day, who each reached the GHSA State finals last season and came just short of winning a championship.
Bethesda Academy is also primed for another championship season
after winning their second SCISA title in three years in November.Benedictine enters the season ranked No. 2 in Class 5A by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
The AJC has Calvary Day atop its preseason Class 2A-4A Private School poll.
Here's a look at the Week 1 matchups for teams from the Greater Savannah area as the 2026 season gets started this week.
Thursday, Aug. 20
Calvary Day at Glynn Academy, 7 p.m.
The
Cavs enter the season ranked No. 1 among Class 2A-4A Private School teams by the Atlanta Journal Constitution after reached the Private School finals last season, where they lost to Hebron Christian in a 28-21 setback.
Calvary Day is loaded with talent and expectations are sky highwith 19 starters returning.
Quarterback James Mobley IV is back for his third year as the starter and the senior is coming off a season where he threw for 2,802 yards with 28 touchdowns. The standout lefty has a group of four receivers that combined for 176 catches for 2,555 yards and 26 scores last year in Marlon Knight Jr., Jalen Hicks, Ty Pinckney and LaVon Owens.
Senior Knight Jr. has committed to play at Georgia Southern, while his classmate Hicks has an offer from App State. Pinckney, a junior, picked up offers from Boston College and Wake Forest this week.
Senior running backs Ca'Den Jones and Zay Middleton combined for 1,476 yards and 25 touchdowns last season in an offense that loves to run at full throttle.
Glynn Academy is a Class 6A school that is coming off a 6-5 season last year. Quarterback Max Noonan, SS/RB Caiden Robinson and linebacker Cooper Reiss, who was the Region 1-5A Defensive Player of the Year last season, are back to lead the Terrors this season.
Friday, Aug. 21
Toombs County at Benedictine at Memorial Stadium
Benedictine is coming off a run to the Class 4A State final last season where the Cadets gave an undefeated Creekside squad all it could handle in a hotly-contested 42-39 setback.
The Cadets lost a lot to graduation, but have a wealth of talent coming back including senior running back Stanley Smart Jr., who rushed for 1,004 yards and 12 scores last year. The 5-10, 200-pound senior, who is also one of the top sprinters in the state, has committed to play at Virginia Tech.
His classmate, receiver Eron Mallard, is looking for another stellar season after recording 32 catches for 657 yards and nine scores last year, while rushing for 396 yards and four more scores. Mallard committed to Purdue in June.
Senior Omari Burse takes over as the starter for Stephen Cannon, now a freshman at Texas Tech. Burse has experience from his sophomore year when he stepped in for an injured Cannon and posted a 4-1 record that included two playoff wins.
Toombs County is coming off a run to the Class A Division I title game where the Bulldogs lost to Worth County 17-13 to close out a 13-2 season.
The Bulldogs have some star power of their own with a roster that includes defensive lineman Jamarcus Johnson, a 6-5, 308-pound four-star prospect who holds offers including Georgia, Alabama and Florida State. Senior linebacker Kareem Palmer has committed to Auburn and Senior safety Alex Scott is headed to North Carolina State.
Junior receiver Nick Carroll had 46 catches for 722 yards and seven scores last year and holds offers including Georgia, Alabama, Florida and FSU. Senior Joseph Owens returns behind center for the Bulldogs after throwing for 2,463 yards and 20 scores last season.
Effingham County at Richmond Hill, 7 p.m.
The teams have played in different regions the last few years, but renew their rivalry with a non-region matchup.
Richmond Hill has won the last five meetings, but Effingham leads the series 8-6.
Richmond Hill has Gunner Mobley returning at quarterback and the senior will have a favorite target in classmate Eli Grant, who doubles as a standout defensive back and has committed to Liberty University. CJ Menzie will be the featured running back behind a line that includes Cole Roy, a 6-foot-2, 265-pound senior who recently committed to play at Wingate University, and Graeden Rush, a 6-1, 245-pound senior who is head to play at Shorter University.
Tre' Brown, a 6-1, 310-pound senior defensive lineman committed to Gardner-Webb, leads a defense that includes standout linebackers Jaylon Deal, another All-Greater Savannah first-team selection and classmate Layton Steigelman.
Effingham County is coming off an 8-3 season and got an influx of big-time talent with two transfers coming from Savannah Christian. Senior offensive lineman Jordan Dillon, a 6-4, 305-pounder, has committed to Georgia Tech, while RJ Brown, a junior defensive lineman, has a plethora of offers including Georgia.
The Rebel defense also features senior safety Jernard Albright, who has committed to FSU. The offense has a playmaker in senior running back Jmere Doe-Davis, a two-time All-Greater Savannah first-team selection.
Trayvis Hunter, the younger brother of Heisman winner Travis Hunter, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, returns a senior receiver in a group that includes Isaiah "Zeke" Brown, a 6-4, 200-pound junior whose growing list of offers includes Georgia, South Carolina and Georgia Tech.
Dillon's younger brother, sophomore Matthew Dillon, is a rising star expected to see plenty of time at quarterback, along with Rebel senior Kris Swinney, who is also a standout defensive back.
New Hampstead at Bradwell
It will be the debut for new Bradwell coach John Adams, who won a pair of state titles in his three-year tenure leading the program at Cedar Grove.
The Tigers have an All-Region first-team pick back at quarterback in Jah'Barri Felix and a big-time receiver in Jamori Pasley, the track and field star who has committed to play football at West Virginia. Carlos Savea is another playmaker to watch on the Bradwell offense, along with running back Cameron Keeve, who ran for 561 yards and seven scores last year.
New Hampstead has a prime-time running back of its own in senior Christian Kinlaw, who rushed for 847 yards and 10 scores last season in a year cut short by an injury.
Jenkins at Lowndes
Jenkins opens its season for the third year in a row with a tough test on the road against Lowndes.
The Warriors won the Region 3-3A title and advanced to the Class 3A state quarterfinals last year, and make the move to Class 5A this year.
The team has talent coming back including offensive athlete Jaylon Elliott, who has offers includinging Wake Forest, FIU and Old Dominion.
Senior safety Ronnie Taylor has committed to the University of Delaware and Branden Brown, who led the team with 105 tackles last year, is back as a senior leader at linebacker.
Savannah Christian at Athens Academy
Savannah Christian hits the road for its opener as Baker Woodward starts his ninth season.
The Raiders have a big-time recruit in senior receiver/defensive back Cam Yeldell,who holds offers including South Carolina and Maryland.
Sophomore running back Wesley Dinkins is back from a season cut to eight games by an injury. He still rushed for 756 yards and three scores.
Woodward is looking forward to the return of Will Bucey and Cain Tomlin, athletes who will play both ways as receivers and defensive backs.
Screven County at South Effingham
South Effingham opens its season after the Mustangs improved to 4-6 last year after a winless campaign the year before.
The Mustangs have a young, but experienced offensive line led by junior Tanner Horton who will open holes for Khyran White, who ran for 1,002 yards and five scores last year.
Junior Semaj Calhoun is another All-Region first-team pick coming back for the Mustangs at defensive back and receiver.
Islands at Groves at Garden City Stadium
The cross-town rivals meet again in a non-region matchup to start their seasons.
Islands has a returning starter at quarterback in Mason McLaughlin and a three-year starter back at defensive back in senior defensive back Andrew Davis.
It will be the debut for new Groves coach Howard Jordan, who has a second-team All-Region athlete coming back on offense in Taff James.
Liberty County at Wayne County
Liberty County reached the playoffs last year and finished with a 7-4 record.
Coach Tony Glazer enters his fifth season with a lineup that includes returning first-team All-Region selections in receiver Aaron Brown and offensive lineman Carson Carter.
Beach at Windsor Forest at Islands Stadium
Beach is back after a 5-5 season and its first playoff appearance since 2011 under Michael Thompson, in his sixth year at the helm.
He has playmakers returning in quarterback Jayvion Williams and running back/linebacker Jordan Newton, who both earned All-Region honor last year.
It will be the first game for Windsor Forest under new coach Willie Martin Jr. His son, junior Jayden Martin, is a three-start recruit who will play quarterback. He holds offers from schools including Old Dominion, Coastal Carolina, Howard and West Georgia.
Treutlen at Bryan County
Bryan County opens its season with a non-region game against Treutlen.
Cherard Freeman enters his seventh season leading the program.
The Redskins have a first-team All-Region pick back in Corey Collier, who will be a linebacker this year.
Gerome Lee is set to take over as the featured running back.
Johnson at Savannah High
Moses Green enters his second year leading the Savannah High program.
His Blue Jackets have a returning starter coming back at quarterback in junior Romelo Milton, who threw threw for 539 yards and fives scores in six games.
Quashawn Harley, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior defensive end, will lead the Blue Jacket defense.
Johnson has a senior star returning in quarterback Shamari King, who ran for 839 yards and 10 scores last season.
Northwood Academy at Bethesda
Bethesda, the defending SICSA Class 2A champion, makes the move to Class 3A this year behind junior quarterback Jordan Turner.
The Blazers cruised to a dominating win in their opener at Frederica Academylast week.
Savannah Country Day at Bluffton
SCD makes the move from the GHSA to the GIAA and the Hornets lost on the road to Strong Rock Christian in their opener last week.
The Hornets feature a GIAA All-State preseason pick in running back Thomas Holland, who rushed for 1,084 yards and 13 scores last year. He was injured in the opener at Strong Rock and may miss this week's game at Bluffton.
Hilton Head Prep at St. Andrew's, 7 p.m.
The St. Andrew's community is excited about the Lions home opener as they will christen the brand new turf field on the Wilmington Island campus.
Coach Wes Worthington starts his third season leading the program with a senior leader on both sides of the ball in lineman Jack Kelley. Junior quarterback Pat Jackson returns as the starter as a dual threat who is will be a focus in the option offense.
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: Week 1 preview for High School football in the Greater Savannah area
