Why college coaches should be flocking to these two Week 4 Savannah football matchups

Week 4 of the high school football season is here, and it features one of the best matchups of the season as defending Class 4A state champion Benedictine hosts defending Class 5A state champ Ware County.

Calvary Day also faces its toughest challenge so far this season as the Cavs host a Charlotte Christian squad stacked with talent.

Here's what to expect in these two big-time matchups.

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Benedictine football hosts Ware County in "Game of the Year"

It's being touted as the regular season "Game of the Year" in Georgia, and with good reason. Benedictine is coming off its second consecutive Class 4A state title and Ware County went 14-0 last year en route to taking home the Class 5A crown. Both squads are undefeated and ranked No. 1 again by the AJC in their classifications

The teams met last season in a rain slogged affair at Ware County as the Gators edged BC 14-10 in their closest game of the season. It was one of only two losses for the Cadets, who finished 13-2.

BC is coming off road trips to Charlotte, North Carolina and Atlanta of more than a combined 1,000 miles.

Last week, BC jumped out to a 17-0 lead at Westminster, before the Wildcats closed to within 17-14, before the Cadets pulled away to win 27-14. Florida State bound quarterback Luke Kromenhoek scored the final touchdown and hit La'Don Bryant with a touchdown pass. Na'Seir Samuel rushed for 76 yards on eight carries and Ack Edwards had 50 yards rushing and a score.

Third Scroggins (11 tackles) and Wilkes Albert (10 stops) led the defensive effort for BC.

Ware County (3-0) has a new quarterback in junior Luke Hooks, who has thrown for 408 yards with three touchdowns and two picks. The Gators have two quality running backs in Dae'Jeaun Dennis (committed to Morgan State) and RJ Boyd, whose offers include Missouri and Indiana. The pair has combined for 432 yards and four touchdowns.

Britt said Ware County is a well-coached team that always looks the same. The same could be said for the Cadets, who seem to reload instead of having to rebuild.

Britt said Albert, Scroggins and Bryce Baker have anchored the defense, with Kromenhoek doing his thing in his second year as the starting quarterback. Scroggins' brother Raphael is now starting at left guard, and the Cadets have another combination of brothers in sophomore strong safety Micah Williams and his brother Marque Williams, a junior starting at corner. Bubba Frazier has emerged as a big-time playmaker on offense.

"We came out focused against Westminster and jumped out to that 17-0 lead, but we relaxed and let our foot off the gas," BC Coach Danny Britt said. "That was a lesson learned for us because if our intensity level drops off like that against Ware County — they can embarrass us. But we've talked about it, and the boys will be ready Friday night. It should be an exciting atmosphere with a huge crowd."

How will Calvary Day football respond to tough opponent in Charlotte Christian?

Charlotte Christian is a very strong team and the Knights (3-0) will be in town Friday to face the Cavaliers (2-0), ranked No. 2 in the state by the AJC.

The Knights have been getting solid production from a pair of quarterbacks in Parker Burke and Owen Farrell. The duo has combined to throw for 647 yards with seven touchdowns and just one interception. Burke has six offers including Wake Forest, App State and Harvard. Farrell has returned a punt and a kickoff for scores this year.

The Knights have another star in receiver Micah Gilbert, the senior has committed to play at Notre Dame. He has 24 catches for 380 yards and four scores. The Knights feature Bryce Young, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Bryant Young. Bryce, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound senior defensive lineman, is following in his father's footsteps to play at Notre Dame.

Calvary Day (2-0) counters with a wealth of blue chip recruits of its own -- led by 4-star quarterback Jake Merklinger, who has committed to Tennessee. He's completed 66% of his passes for 432 yards and seven scores without an interception. Highly-recruited Thomas Blackshear has nine catches for 228 yards and three touchdowns, while four-star tight end Michael Smith, a South Carolina commit, has three scoring grabs. Senior Caden Arnold has eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. He's headed on a visit Saturday to Athens for UGA's game against Ball State.

Buddy Mathis, the 6-3, 285-pound defensive lineman for the Cavs, added to his stellar sheet with an offer from Georgia on Aug. 30.

"This game is going to be a heck of a challenge," Calvary coach Mark Stroud said. "They are a well-coached team with excellent skill guys, a good pass rush and a bunch of defensive playmakers. They have a great all-around team -- and this is just the kind of challenge we needed."

Week 4 Savannah area prep football schedule

Sept. 7, Thursday

Islands at Windsor Forest (Savannah High)

Sept. 8

Effingham County at SE Bulloch

South Effingham at Bradwell

Ware County at Benedictine (Memorial)

New Hampstead at Camden County

Charlotte Christian (NC) at Calvary Day

Claxton at Groves (Islands)

Johnson at Brantley County

Pierce County at Liberty County

Butler at Savannah High (Savannah High)

Carolina Academy at Bethesda (Daffin Park)

Memorial Day at John Paul II

Hilton Head Prep at St. Andrew's

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Benedictine and Calvary host two big-time opponents to lead Week 4 slate