(Preview courtesy of Georgia High School Football Daily) Private No. 10 Stratford Academy (4-0) at Private No. 3 Calvary Day (6-0)
Calvary Day reached the quarterfinals or better in six of the past eight seasons. The Cavaliers are averaging 194.5 yards per game passing and 176 rushing through six games. Sophomore QB Jake Merklinger is 90-of-123 passing (73.2%) for 1,167 yards and eight touchdowns and has run for 204 yards and seven TDs. Freshman Donovan Johnson has rushed for 636 yards, and sophomore Michael Smith has 311 yards receiving. Calvary Day recovered from its loss to Stratford last year and advanced to the semifinals. Stratford Academy is trying to reach 5-0 for the second time since moving into the GHSA in 2014. The Eagles return two of nine all-Region 1-A Private players from last season, junior RB/DB Shaun Wilmore and RB/LB Nate Slappey, whose 5-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter last week gave Stratford the lead for good in a 27-20 victory over Savannah Country Day. One player to watch is junior Keondre Glover, who had a 64-yard touchdown reception, 25-yard TD run and 62-yard interception return last week. Stratford Academy won the last meeting, 28-21, last season.
(Preview courtesy of Georgia High School Football Daily) Private No. 1 Trinity Christian (5-0) at Private No. 2 Eagle’s Landing Christian (1-3)
This game between the two top teams in A Private matches the hot newcomer (Trinity Christian) against the class’s longtime power. Trinity Christian surprised many in 2020 when it reached the state final in its third year in the GHSA, but the Lions have steamrolled everyone this year, averaging a state-best 55.2 points while allowing a total of 44. QB David Dallas (committed to Western Michigan) has passed for 1,233 yards and 18 touchdowns with just one interception. His brother, Josh (Liberty), is his top target with 16 catches for 301 yards and six TDs. Dominick Cosper (491 yards rushing) leads a running game that averages 151 yards. Eagle’s Landing Christian’s slow start isn’t unusual, considering the tough schedules it routinely plays. The Chargers, who won six state titles in the past nine years, have lost to three top-10 5A schools – Woodward Academy (17-14), Ware County (52-28) and Blessed Trinity (24-21). Junior QB Charlie Gilliam has passed for 728 yards and sophomore RB Brandon Hood has run for 392 to lead a balanced offense. ELCA won the last match up, 34-0, last season.
Private No. 8 Wesleyan (3-2) at Private No. 5 Athens Academy (4-1)
Both teams are coming off of wins where they went north of 40 points. Athens Academy downed Hebron Christian, 45-13, as junior QB Sam Bush completed 3 of 4 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 64 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Wesleyan blew out Loganville Christian, 42-7, as senior QB Jett Miller was brilliant, completing 18 of 22 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns – one each to senior James Huffham (4 catches, 106 yards), and juniors Reed Purcell (7 catches, 100 yards) and Will Tucker (1 catch for 90 yards), and two to junior Thomas Cook (4 catches, 94 yards). The teams met in the regular season last year as well, and both teams were ranked in the top 10 – Athens Academy was No.1, Wesleyan was No. 5. Athens Academy won 35-0.
Other games of note:
Public No. 8 Emanuel County Institute (4-1) at Gordon Lee (3-2)
Public No. 1 Irwin County at Lanier County (2-2)
Public No. 2 Brooks County at Atkinson County (3-2)
Private No. 4 Prince Avenue Christian vs. Hebron Christian (3-2)
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