We have reached the end of our quarterfinal previews as we take a look at the GHSA Class A-Private matchups. The preview features games between Savannah Christian – Wesleyan, Prince Avenue Christian – Eagle’s Landing Christian, George Walton Academy – Calvary Day, and Trinity Christian – Fellowship Christian.
If we had to pick a game in this classification to attend this week, it would definitely be Prince Avenue Christian vs Eagle’s Landing Christian. This game would have made a great state title matchup.
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The Skinny
The Savannah Christian Raiders have advanced to the quarterfinals for the third straight season. The Region-1 champions have won seven straight games since their only setback of the season. The Raiders are averaging 35.9 points per game while allowing 18.6. Quarterback Spencer Robicheaux has thrown for over 1,900 yards and 24-TDs while George Futch has caught 45 passed for 768 yards and 11-TDs. It’s been running back by committee for the Raiders as Robicheaux, Carter Allen, Ely Brown and Jayden Hester have combined for 2,018 rushing yards and 25-TDs. Meanwhile, Peyton Cromwell leads the defense with 139 total tackles. Savannah Christian did not have a first round playoff game but defeated Pacelli by 13 last week to get to this point.
The Region-5 champion Wesleyan Wolves will make the long road trip down to Pooler just outside of Savannah on Friday. The Wolves have advanced to the quarterfinals for the second straight season. The Wolves have won six straight games since their back to back losses back in October. Wesleyan is led offensively by quarterback Ryan Rose who has thrown for 1,909 yards and 11-TDs while Griffin Caldwell has rushed for 1,261 yards and 16-TDs. The Wolves have received a boost with the return of receiver Cooper Blauser. He and Wyatt Hodges have combined for 79 receptions, 1,126 yards and 7-TDs. Senior J.D. Chipman leads the defense with 106 tackles while Tanner Bivins has recorded 21 tackles for loss. The Wolves are averaging 25.5 points per game while allowing 15.3. In their two playoff games, they have outscored their opponents 54-45. Both teams are seemingly evenly matched, but we’ll go with Savannah Christian since they don’t have a 4+ hour road trip. Raiders by a touchdown.
The Skinny
Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines have advanced to the quarterfinals for the ninth time in ten years. They are racking up some outstanding numbers this season averaging over 474 yards of offense per game. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff is the straw that stirs the drink for the offense. He’s thrown for 3,342 yards and 40-TDs while Landon Owens has rushed for 895 yards and 13-TDs. Senior receivers Logan Johnson (58 receptions 1,004 yards, 17-TDs) and Zac Dyer (47 receptions, 950 yards, 9-TDs) lead the receiving corps. Davis Ridings is tops on the team in tackles with 126 total tackles and 14 tackles for loss while Chas Scoggins has intercepted five passes in the secondary. The Wolverines have outscored their two playoff opponents 105-34 and on the season are averaging 48.9 points per game while allowing 16.
The Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy Chargers are the Region 2 champions and are the five time…Yes F-I-V-E time defending state champion in Class A-Private. The Chargers have done most of their damage on the ground behind running backs Josh Rogers (835 yards, 11-TDs), Brandon Hood (634 yards, 9-TDs) and quarterback Philip Massengale (654 yards, 9-TDs). The Chargers are winners of their last seven games. They have not lost to a team in Class A-Private this season and have taken on all comers. They are averaging 29.4 points per game while allowing 12.3. In their two playoff games, they have outscored their opponents 72-17. ELCA has owned the series but we really feel the worm has turned and believe Prince Avenue has the upper hand this week. We like the Wolverines by two touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Calvary Day Cavaliers are in the quarterfinals for the sixth time in the last eight seasons. The Cavaliers have won three straight games, not counting their first-round forfeit victory. Freshman quarterback Jake Merklinger has thrown for over 1,600 yards and 16-TDs in the regular season, while Greg Daniel has rushed for 1,173 yards and 12-TDs in the first ten games. A.J. Butts and Troy Ford are tops on the team in total tackles. Calvary Day is averaging 24.7 points per game while allowing 19.1.
The George Walton Academy Bulldogs find themselves in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2012. They are winners of their last three games, which including an upset of Christian Heritage last week. The Bulldogs are also led by freshman quarterback Gavin Hall. He’s passed for 1,072 yards and 9-TDs and rushed for 616 yards and 8-TDs. Jack Ellerbee is the team’s leading rusher with 883 yards and 11-TDs. Laythan Folgman and Jake Whitten have also combined for 1,004 yards and 11-TDs on the ground. George Walton Academy is averaging 30.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 20.1 points per game. If the Bulldogs can go to Dalton and pull an upset, we believe they can do the same in Savannah this week. We like George Walton by 6.
The Skinny
The Trinity Christian Lions are in the quarterfinals for the first the first time in their three-year run as a GHSA school. (The Lions did make it all the way to the GISA 1-AAA finals in 2017 before making the move to the GHSA.) Quarterback David Dallas has thrown for 1,559 yards and 11-TDs while Tyson Wall has rushed for 946 yards and 9-TDs. Juniors Joshua Dallas and Bryce Wilcox have combined for 72 receptions, 955 yards and 7-TDs to lead the Lions receivers. Trinity Christian has won six straight games entering this week and is averaging 29.8 points per game while allowing 13 points per game. In their two playoff games they have outscored their opponents 105-13.
Fellowship Christian is in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five years. The Paladins are averaging the most points per game in school history (49.7) while simultaneously allowing the fewest points per game in school history (10). No one has been within 22 points of them since their week one victory of Christian Heritage. Murphy Reeves is one of the top running backs in Class-A Private with 1,715 yards and 23-TDs. Eli Hildebrandt, Lawson Haigler and Josh Cole have combined for another 1,307 yards and 19-TDs. For what it’s worth, the Paladins only throw the ball about nine times a game. That won’t be a factor, we Like Fellowship big on the road this week; call it three touchdowns.