Savannah Morning News
Two of the top high school quarterbacks in the country will meet up at 7:30 p.m. Friday when Benedictine hosts Ware County at Memorial Stadium.
It's been almost a year since the Cadets made the trip to Waycross and suffered their first loss that season in a 43-21 setback against the Gators. BC bounced back to make a run to the Class 4A state semifinals, ending the season at 9-3, while Ware County reached the 5A quarterfinals, finishing with a 10-2 record.
Castellanos had a phenomenal game in the win last season as he completed 16 of 22 passes for 231 yards and three scores, while rushing for 72 yards and three more touchdowns in 16 carries.
"He moves around so well in the pocket — I think it makes him happy when there's pressure on him back there," BC coach Danny Britt said of the 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior. "He reminds me of (Patrick) Mahomes, the way he buys time with his feet and how he changes arm angles to make all the throws."
Castellanos has completed 66% of his throws for 1,062 yards with 10 touchdown passes and three interceptions, while rushing for 278 yards and five more scores this season.
Ware County will have another offensive weapon in this matchup in running back Cartevious Norton, who missed about half of last season with an injury. The 5-11, 210-pound senior has rushed for 535 yards with a total of five touchdowns. His offers include Iowa State, Akron and Georgia State.
"He's a freak — (Cartevious) is one of a kind, he's a man-child," Castellanos said in a phone interview Wednesday. "He's underrated because he missed a lot of last year. But he runs like Marshawn Lynch. When a 210-pound guy like that can run a 4.4, you want to move out of his way."
BC answered the Gators' touchdown on their opening drive last year with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Justin Thomas. But the offense never got into a groove and the Cadets trailed 33-7 at the half. Geriner was 20 of 27 passing for 162 yards, but BC had just 67 yards rushing in the loss.
"We got off to a slow start last year against them, and picked it up in the second half," said Geriner, the 6-3, 210-pound four-star prospect who has completed 60% of his throws for 764 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception this season. "This time we're going to come out firing and try to win every single down."
Thomas has come on strong in the run game recently, as the senior has racked up 380 of his 463 yards rushing and five of his six rushing touchdowns in the last two games. He has 10 catches for 161 yards and two scores on the season. He also had a kickoff return for a score.
"It's always a good thing handing the ball of to Justin; he's shown how great he is and adds balance to our offense," Geriner said.
Junior receiver Za'Quan Bryan leads the team with 24 catches for 367 yards and six touchdowns, and Kam Edge has 20 receptions for 173 yards.
The BC defense has been playing well the last two games. Senior linebackers Holden Sapp (32 tackles, two interceptions) and Mac Kromenhoek (27 tackles) are leading the way along with sophomore linebacker Bryce Baker (36 tackles) and senior defensive back Ben Hollerbach (25 tackles).
The unit will face a challenge as Castellanos spreads the ball out well to his three main targets in Jarvis Hayes (15 catches for 310 yards and five touchdowns), Dakari Coachman (17 receptions for 210 yards and a score) and James Daniels, who has 14 catches for 221 yards.
"Thomas is an unbelievable athlete," Geriner said. "He has the arm strength and accuracy to throw the ball downfield, and he is fast and can stretch things out on the ground. You don't know if he's going to run or throw. But I think we match up well this season, and it should be a good game."
Castellanos said he has a lot of respect for Geriner, his game and the Cadets.
"I'm close friends with Holden," Castellanos said. "But we're not talking any trash coming into this game. We'll give each other a dap before the game and wish each other luck. Holden can sling that ball around — he's got amazing arm strength. I think Benedictine has a better team this year. Holden has that offense playing well, and I know they don't want to repeat what happened last year. I'm expecting a good game."
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