Savannah-Area High Schools Gather for Football Media Day
912 football players and coaches face the media before the feeling the Friday Night Lights.
Countless long hours of practice over the past 9 months, finally, high school football is returning to the state of Georgia. And before these teams get ready for their first game, they’re stopping by here in Savannah at Optum Orthopedics for immediate day to talk about the upcoming season. And one thing is very clear each one of these players and coaches is ready to put all that hard work on display and the rest of the state. What type of team they will be this year. Everybody’s been working hard, you know, we all, we do extracurricular things like going to the like going to the field on our own just, I just feel like everybody this year chemistry wise is *** little bit tighter, you know, because we, we lost *** bunch of seniors last year, so that’s just how it’s gonna have to be. We’re schemed up great. I think our defense coordinator is amazing. He knows what he’s doing really well. We fly to the ball. We, it’s one thing I think we all take pride in, especially. The defensive linemen, we all just try to fly to the ball and play as hard as we can to the to the whistle blows. I feel like we’re being way more physical on the offensive line, just the mentality of, you know, just going for the game positive yards. The leadership, um, it’s *** lot different from last year. We got *** lot of young talent and, um, it just kind of gives me hope for the future. We got some dogs and we’re not scared to get after it, and. Oh yeah, we’re just ready to play football. Another major topic of conversation this offseason was the transferring of high school players. We see it in college all the time, and now it’s making its way down to the prep level, and the GHSA actually addressed this past offseason, limiting the amount of times that *** player can transfer before having to sit out *** season. Well, I was able to talk to the coaches here and get their Opinions on the new rule and how they’ve seen transferring impact the game of football at this level. And some aspects is needed for the college ranks the ability to transfer in and out, but at the high school level you should have your own homegrown talent talent. You shouldn’t have *** kid playing 30 miles away at your high school. I, I think it’s great. uh, we have to have rules every time we get upset we don’t want to just be able to jump ship. Now there are situations and there will be, you know, rules in place to to allow that to happen. People today have to trust. And what they’re doing like you made *** decision to go to the high school you went to you made that decision. You didn’t take it lightly, but you made it. And so once you make *** decision, stick with it, stick with the consequences that are in that. If you’re looking for reasons to go, trust me, you’re gonna find them. I, I, I think you’ve either got to tamp it down in some way, shape or form, or you’ve just gotta open everybody up for business and so I think. This was probably the first and appropriate step to try to tamp it down. Well folks, the countdown to kickoff is officially on, less than 2 weeks away from the first games of the GHSA schedule being played, and it cannot get here soon enough.
Savannah-Area High Schools Gather for Football Media Day
912 football players and coaches face the media before the feeling the Friday Night Lights.
Updated: 11:38 PM EDT Aug 3, 2025
The 2025 high school football season officially kicked off in Southeast Georgia on Saturday, as 12 area programs gathered for the Savannah Private School Football Media Day.Held at Optim Orthopedics in Savannah and produced by The Prep Sports Report and veteran journalist Karl DeMasi, the event brought together players, coaches, and media outlets for a morning of interviews, season previews, and spirited conversation about the upcoming year.In total, 12 programs were represented, including Savannah Christian, Benedictine, Calvary Day, Savannah Country Day, Bethesda, Saint Andrew’s, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County, Bryan County, Effingham County, Richmond Hill, and South Effingham.The event gave coaches a chance to speak publicly about roster changes, off-season development, and one of the hottest topics heading into fall: the impact of the Georgia High School Association’s revised transfer rules, now fully in effect.Under the updated policy, student-athletes who transfer between GHSA schools without a bona fide move may face immediate eligibility restrictions — a shift that has already affected roster depth and off-season movement across the state.Several coaches noted the complexity of preparing teams while navigating a wave of incoming and outgoing players, especially as many programs are breaking in young rosters with new-look lineups.Despite the changes, the tone at Media Day remained focused and optimistic, with several teams emphasizing leadership development and offseason gains as the pads come on this week.
SAVANNAH, Ga. —
The 2025 high school football season officially kicked off in Southeast Georgia on Saturday, as 12 area programs gathered for the Savannah Private School Football Media Day.
Held at Optim Orthopedics in Savannah and produced by The Prep Sports Report and veteran journalist Karl DeMasi, the event brought together players, coaches, and media outlets for a morning of interviews, season previews, and spirited conversation about the upcoming year.
In total, 12 programs were represented, including Savannah Christian, Benedictine, Calvary Day, Savannah Country Day, Bethesda, Saint Andrew’s, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County, Bryan County, Effingham County, Richmond Hill, and South Effingham.
The event gave coaches a chance to speak publicly about roster changes, off-season development, and one of the hottest topics heading into fall: the impact of the Georgia High School Association’s revised transfer rules, now fully in effect.
Under the updated policy, student-athletes who transfer between GHSA schools without a bona fide move may face immediate eligibility restrictions — a shift that has already affected roster depth and off-season movement across the state.
Several coaches noted the complexity of preparing teams while navigating a wave of incoming and outgoing players, especially as many programs are breaking in young rosters with new-look lineups.
Despite the changes, the tone at Media Day remained focused and optimistic, with several teams emphasizing leadership development and offseason gains as the pads come on this week.