SCDS Football: From Grass to Turf
by Zane Hermberg
From their first game at Strong Rock Christian, in which they lost 27-0, the 2026 Savannah Country Day Football season looked like an arduous one. While it is the second year for Head Coach Joey Blackmore, he is coaching a fundamentally different team. A strong group of seniors graduated, and their absence leaves the team lacking depth, particularly on the offensive line. However, an abnormal number of boys from the class of ‘27 joined this season, many of whom had never played football before, making an already large and group of leaders even larger, although their inexperience comes with inconsistency.
This year’s Hornets struggled to find their footing. Their second game against Bluffton was not much better than their first, although they did manage to score a touchdown, bringing the final score to 29-7. The following game, however, was another step in the wrong direction as they were blown out by Pinewood Prep, 52-13, although it is important to note that Pinewood Prep is the defending state champion of their athletic conference (SCISA), and remains undefeated this season.
This frustrating loss marked a turning point for the Hornets. While they lost their next two games as well, they were short just one score in each (7-6 and 20-17 respectively). Although close games are more tantalizing than blowouts, they were a sign of progress for the team. The Hornets continued to grow, and their growth eventually led to a Homecoming Game victory against our crosstown rival, Savannah Christian. The win was owed mostly to #27, Captain Thomas Holland, who ran almost every play and for a total of 127 yards. The Hornets struck gold again the following week, when, in the final moments of the game, Sophomore Amir Atkinson caught a lengthy pass in the endzone to beat Bethesda, 20-16.
This article should be coming to you on October 9th, and the Hornets should be traveling to Bulloch Academy with their 2-5 record. While 2 wins and 5 losses doesn’t seem impressive, in a way the Hornet’s season has just begun. Due to the strange schedule of Country Day’s new athletic conference, the GIAA, Bulloch Academy will be the first region game for the Hornets. This game and the following two against Frederica and St. Andrews are the only contests which factor into playoff standings, meaning that the Hornet’s next three games are really the only ones that matter. If their upward upward trend continues, the Hornets can leave their rocky start behind and go on to playoff victories. Good luck, boys.
