For the second consecutive season the No. 2 ranked Cedar Grove Saints host the No. 1 Calvary Day Cavaliers in a meeting of Class 3A’s top two ranked teams as they clash at “Buck” Godfrey Stadium on Friday night at 7:30 in the state semifinals.

Last year the two teams met in the quarterfinals with the Saints ranked No. 1 and the Cavaliers coming in at No. 2. The Saints won last season’s meeting 30-0.

Cedar Grove (8-5) was ranked No. 1 for much of the season until back-to-back losses at the hands of the No. 1 ranked (Colquitt Co.) and No. 2 ranked (Mill Creek) Class 7A teams as part of the toughest Class 3A schedule in the state.

The Saints are coming off a 28-14 road victory over No. 3 ranked Mary Persons (11-2) in which penalties played a role in both Bulldog touchdown drives as Cedar Grove held their opponent to just 135 yards of total offense on the night. The defense put together 15 tackles for a loss in the game, including a sack led by Wesley Brown (9 total tackles, 4 TFL), Lemarcus Parks (9 total tackles, 3 TFL) and Keith Bass (9 total tackles, 2 TFL). Chase Kerns had five total tackles with three for a loss, including a sack to end the Bulldogs’ final possession of the game.

Junior Bo Walker went over 100 yards rushing with two touchdowns to move to 1,327 yards rushing on the season with 24 touchdowns (2,376 career yards, 34 TDs). Sophomore receiver Devin Carter had four receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown (43 receptions, 836 yards, 12 TDs) to up his career yardage to 1,253 yards and 18 touchdowns. Junior quarterback EJ Colson threw for 119 yards on nine completions with a touchdown (162-258-0, 2,220 yards, 26 TDs) as he moved to 5,555 career passing yards with 63 touchdowns.

Calvary Day (13-0) is coming off a 42-21 victory over Wesleyan (9-4) in a game Wesleyan was within 28-21 and the Cavaliers pulled away late. It was only the second time this season Calvary allowed over 10 points in a game.

Senior quarterback Jake Merklinger did most of the damage for the Cavaliers against Wesleyan as he threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns (19-26-0) and rushed for 80 yards and three more touchdowns. Receivers Edward Coleman (134 yards), Caden Arnold (108 yards, 1 TD) and Michael Smith (99 yards, 1 TD) combined for the receiving totals.

Brody Dawson (6 total tackles) and Cutter Powell (5 total tackles) had two tackles for a loss each as the Cavaliers defense totaled 7.5 tackles for a loss including 1 sack.

The Saints are in the semifinal for the third consecutive season and are vying for a third consecutive state final appearance. It is also the eighth trip to the semifinals in nine seasons missing only the 2020 covid shortened season where they fell in the quarterfinals. Cedar Grove has four state titles in the past seven seasons (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021)

DCSD FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Friday, Dec. 1
CLASS 3A SEMIFINALS
GODFREY STADIUM
Calvary Day (13-0) vs. Cedar Grove (8-5), 7:30 pm
SECOND SEMIFINAL
Savannah Christian (11-2) at Carver-Columbus (10-3), 7:30 pm