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The high school football season is Georgia is set to kickoff in the middle of Augusta and there will be a different look scheduling wise for some teams as the latest reclassification by the Georgia High School Association takes effect for the next two seasons.
The changes will rekindle some established rivalries ― like the game behind Calvary Day and Savannah Christian ― as the programs are in the same region once again.
We recently published a look at team-by-team schedules along with a week-by-week composite slate of the games in the 2026 high school football season for programs in the Greater Savannah area.
There are some teams that have never met are set to play as Bethesda, the defending SCISA Class 2A champion, has Savannah Christian and Savannah Country Day on its schedule for the first time in program history.
We took a look at the week-by-week schedule and came up with a list of the top games to watch in the 2026 season.
Here are some games that should generate a buzz under the lights on Friday nights this season.
The Blazers are coming off a SCISA Class 2A state title and start their season on the road facing a Frederica Academy squad that reached the second round of the GIAA state playoffs last year, finishing 8-4.
The Cavs are looking to get back to the GHSA Private School finals where they lost to state champion Hebron Christian last year. Calvary, playing in Class 2A during this regular year, starts its season at Glynn Academy, a Class 6A squad that reached the 5A state playoffs last year.
A strong rivalry stays alive with this non-region matchup as Effingham County, playing in Class 6A under John Ford, in his sixth year leading the Rebels, faces off with Richmond Hill, playing in the state's highest classification, 7A, under veteran Matt LeZotte, in his 12th season leading the Wildcats.
The Class A Division I state runnerup comes to town to face Benedictine, which lost to Creekside in the Class 4A state finals last year.
John Adams coaches his first game for Bradwell as the Tigers host New Hampstead under another top-notch coach in Kyle Hockman.
Cross-town rivals meet in a non-region matchup as Beach faces Windsor Forest in Willie Martin Jr.'s first game as the Knights head coach.
The Lions host the first game on their new turf field in the first game of their GIAA season.
Islands broke a 37-game losing streak last September when the Sharks beat the Rebels at the first game ever played at Groves Stadium. Groves enters the season on a 16-game losing streak. This will be the first game for new Groves coach Howard Jordan.
Tough non-region slate continues for the Cadets who host the reigning Private School state champions.
The teams will compete in different regions this year, but the rivalry continues. Jenkins won this matchup last year in a wild 41-33 affair that decided the Region 3-3A title. Calvary, led by former Jenkins head coach Jason Cameron, will be looking to avenge that setback.
The first ever meeting between the programs features a strong Blazer squad coming off its second SCISA state title under veteran coach Antwain Turner. SCPS coach Baker Woodward started his coaching career as an assistant for Turner for three seasons, before moving on to become an assistant at Benedictine.
Richmond Hill has won each of the previous six meetings in this matchup, according to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. The closest game was the first when the Wildcats won 17-10 in 2010. Richmond Hill beat Jenkins 28-7 in the last meeting in 2023.
This is the sixth meeting in the history of the two vaunted programs. Camden County leads the series 5-1 and won the last matchup 56-6 in 2011, which was Danny Britt's first year leading the Cadet program. BC beat Camden County 9-7 in 2000.
Savannah Country Day makes the move down from the GHSA to the GIAA this season, but the Hornets have kept their cross-town rivals on the schedule for a non-league matchup. Savannah Christian leads the all-time series 29-11 and has dominated the last five meetings, never allowing more than seven points in those games. SCD's last win in the series came when the Hornets beat the Raiders 31-24 in 2021.
This will be the first meeting between the teams. SCD is playing in the GIAA this season and will face defending SCISA Class 2A champion Bethesda on its home turf.
This could prove to be a pivotal matchup in a new region for both squads competing in Region 3-4A. Playoff seedings will be based on Power Rankings for all GHSA classifications this year, but this region tilt could end up being critical. Liberty County leads the overall series 9-2 and won the last two meetings. The Knights last win against Liberty County was a 12-6 victory in 2021.
Richmond Hill hosts its first Region 1-7A game of the season as Colquitt County pays a visit to Wildcat Stadium. This is the fourth meeting between the schools, and Colquitt was won all four. Last season, the Wildcats had their closest game yet as visiting Colquitt edged Richmond Hill 28-21.
The teams are competing in the same region once again as both have landed in Region 1-5A. BC is coming off a run to the Class 4A state finals and Jenkins reached the Class 3A state quarters last year. The Cadets lead the overall series 45-11 and have won the last three meetings. Jenkins last win was a34-9 victory in 2019 when the Warriors made a run to the Class 3A state semis.
Expect a packed house as usual for this cross-county rivalry going down at Effingham County this year. Effingham leads the series 20-12 and has won the last six games in the series, including a 49-21 win at South Effingham last year.
Schedule makes were spot on making this the final regular season game in Region 1-5A as it could decide the region title. The series started in 2020 and the teams have split the games, trading off wins each year. Last season, BC beat the Gators on the road 30-27 in a game that decided the Region 1-4A title.
The cross-town rivals become reacquainted after playing in separate regions the last two years. SCPS leads the overall series 26-19, but Calvary Day has won the last three meetings after dropping the previous four.
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at [email protected]. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Top 2026 high-school football games to watch in Greater Savannah area
Continue reading...
The changes will rekindle some established rivalries ― like the game behind Calvary Day and Savannah Christian ― as the programs are in the same region once again.
We recently published a look at team-by-team schedules along with a week-by-week composite slate of the games in the 2026 high school football season for programs in the Greater Savannah area.
There are some teams that have never met are set to play as Bethesda, the defending SCISA Class 2A champion, has Savannah Christian and Savannah Country Day on its schedule for the first time in program history.
We took a look at the week-by-week schedule and came up with a list of the top games to watch in the 2026 season.
Here are some games that should generate a buzz under the lights on Friday nights this season.
Aug. 14
Bethesda at Frederica Academy
The Blazers are coming off a SCISA Class 2A state title and start their season on the road facing a Frederica Academy squad that reached the second round of the GIAA state playoffs last year, finishing 8-4.
Thursday, Aug. 20
Calvary Day at Glynn Academy
The Cavs are looking to get back to the GHSA Private School finals where they lost to state champion Hebron Christian last year. Calvary, playing in Class 2A during this regular year, starts its season at Glynn Academy, a Class 6A squad that reached the 5A state playoffs last year.
Aug. 21
Effingham County at Richmond Hill
A strong rivalry stays alive with this non-region matchup as Effingham County, playing in Class 6A under John Ford, in his sixth year leading the Rebels, faces off with Richmond Hill, playing in the state's highest classification, 7A, under veteran Matt LeZotte, in his 12th season leading the Wildcats.
Toombs County at Benedictine (Memorial Stadium)
The Class A Division I state runnerup comes to town to face Benedictine, which lost to Creekside in the Class 4A state finals last year.
New Hampstead at Bradwell Institute
John Adams coaches his first game for Bradwell as the Tigers host New Hampstead under another top-notch coach in Kyle Hockman.
Beach at Windsor Forest (Islands Stadium)
Cross-town rivals meet in a non-region matchup as Beach faces Windsor Forest in Willie Martin Jr.'s first game as the Knights head coach.
Hilton Head Prep at St. Andrew's
The Lions host the first game on their new turf field in the first game of their GIAA season.
Islands at Groves
Islands broke a 37-game losing streak last September when the Sharks beat the Rebels at the first game ever played at Groves Stadium. Groves enters the season on a 16-game losing streak. This will be the first game for new Groves coach Howard Jordan.
Aug. 28
Hebron Christian at Benedictine (Memorial Stadium)
Tough non-region slate continues for the Cadets who host the reigning Private School state champions.
Jenkins at Calvary Day
The teams will compete in different regions this year, but the rivalry continues. Jenkins won this matchup last year in a wild 41-33 affair that decided the Region 3-3A title. Calvary, led by former Jenkins head coach Jason Cameron, will be looking to avenge that setback.
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Bethesda at Savannah Christian (Pooler Stadium)
The first ever meeting between the programs features a strong Blazer squad coming off its second SCISA state title under veteran coach Antwain Turner. SCPS coach Baker Woodward started his coaching career as an assistant for Turner for three seasons, before moving on to become an assistant at Benedictine.
Sept. 4
Jenkins at Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill has won each of the previous six meetings in this matchup, according to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. The closest game was the first when the Wildcats won 17-10 in 2010. Richmond Hill beat Jenkins 28-7 in the last meeting in 2023.
Camden County at Benedictine (Memorial Stadium)
This is the sixth meeting in the history of the two vaunted programs. Camden County leads the series 5-1 and won the last matchup 56-6 in 2011, which was Danny Britt's first year leading the Cadet program. BC beat Camden County 9-7 in 2000.
Sept. 18
Savannah Christian at Savannah Country Day
Savannah Country Day makes the move down from the GHSA to the GIAA this season, but the Hornets have kept their cross-town rivals on the schedule for a non-league matchup. Savannah Christian leads the all-time series 29-11 and has dominated the last five meetings, never allowing more than seven points in those games. SCD's last win in the series came when the Hornets beat the Raiders 31-24 in 2021.
Sept. 25
Savannah Country Day at Bethesda
This will be the first meeting between the teams. SCD is playing in the GIAA this season and will face defending SCISA Class 2A champion Bethesda on its home turf.
Oct. 2
Liberty County at Windsor Forest (Groves Stadium)
This could prove to be a pivotal matchup in a new region for both squads competing in Region 3-4A. Playoff seedings will be based on Power Rankings for all GHSA classifications this year, but this region tilt could end up being critical. Liberty County leads the overall series 9-2 and won the last two meetings. The Knights last win against Liberty County was a 12-6 victory in 2021.
Oct. 9
Colquitt County at Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill hosts its first Region 1-7A game of the season as Colquitt County pays a visit to Wildcat Stadium. This is the fourth meeting between the schools, and Colquitt was won all four. Last season, the Wildcats had their closest game yet as visiting Colquitt edged Richmond Hill 28-21.
Jenkins at Benedictine (Memorial Stadium)
The teams are competing in the same region once again as both have landed in Region 1-5A. BC is coming off a run to the Class 4A state finals and Jenkins reached the Class 3A state quarters last year. The Cadets lead the overall series 45-11 and have won the last three meetings. Jenkins last win was a34-9 victory in 2019 when the Warriors made a run to the Class 3A state semis.
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Oct. 16
South Effingham at Effingham County
Expect a packed house as usual for this cross-county rivalry going down at Effingham County this year. Effingham leads the series 20-12 and has won the last six games in the series, including a 49-21 win at South Effingham last year.
Nov. 6
Benedictine at Ware County
Schedule makes were spot on making this the final regular season game in Region 1-5A as it could decide the region title. The series started in 2020 and the teams have split the games, trading off wins each year. Last season, BC beat the Gators on the road 30-27 in a game that decided the Region 1-4A title.
Savannah Christian at Calvary Day
The cross-town rivals become reacquainted after playing in separate regions the last two years. SCPS leads the overall series 26-19, but Calvary Day has won the last three meetings after dropping the previous four.
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at [email protected]. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Top 2026 high-school football games to watch in Greater Savannah area
Continue reading...
