As GHSA state playoffs near their conclusion, Prep Ballers made its way to Buck Godfrey Stadium as No. 1 Calvary Day School and No. 2 Cedar Grove faced off in a massive semifinal matchup at the AAA level.
With more than 25 players holding at least one college offer, the high scoring matchup lived up to its billing.
After a scoreless first quarter, 2025 UCF quarterback commit EJ Colson got things started with a 45-yard scamper with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.
But it was not long before Tennessee quarterback commit Jake Merklinger found South Carolina tight end commit Michael Smith for a touchdown to knot the score up at seven.
Cedar Grove retook the lead on a one-yard touchdown run from Georgia running back commit Bo Walker, his first of three scores to go along with 128 yards on the ground. The four-star back also opened the second half with a 33-yard rush to extend the Saints' lead to two possessions.
Merklinger tossed his second touchdown of the night to bring the Cavaliers back within seven, but Walker's third and final touchdown once again put the visitors down by two possessions.
For his third touchdown toss of the evening, Merklinger found Smith on a crucial fourth-and-goal to bring the deficit back to seven and keep the Cavaliers within striking distance.
The Saints were once again quick to respond, this time with a 56-yard touchdown pass from Colson to Florida State wide receiver commit Devin Carter. The effortless pass would eventually go down as the longest offensive play of the game.
Both teams continued to go back and forth, with a 100-yard kickoff return highlighting the fourth quarter scoring.
However, Merklinger gave the Cavaliers one last chance to tie things up following a physical 22-yard touchdown run. But a failed onside kick with just over a minute left a fatal blemish on an otherwise perfect season for Calvary Day.
Cedar Grove returns to the state championship game for the third consecutive season, where they look to avenge last season's loss to Sandy Creek. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on December 13, the final day of GHSA football action.
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