Who are the top returning quarterbacks in the Greater Savannah area for 2024?

Savannah has grown as a big-time recruiting target for Power Five football programs in the last decade and the Hostess City has had a run of stellar quarterbacks in recent years.

It's been a remarkable run with former Benedictine quarterback Holden Geriner earning a scholarship to Auburn and New Hampstead's Pauly Seeley landing at Wofford. In the last two seasons, two Savannah products have been ranked among the Top 10 quarterbacks in the nation with Calvary Day's Jake Merklinger, now a freshman at Tennessee and Benedictine's Luke Kromenhoek, now a freshman at Florida State, setting the standard.

There are some new faces with a mix of veterans expected to excel behind center this year. Here's a list of the top returning quarterbacks for the 2024 season in the Greater Savannah area.

Ra'Shawn Truell, New Hampstead

Truell had a huge season in his first year as the starter for the Phoenix, earning All-Greater Savannah first-team honors, while being named the Coastal Empire Offensive Player of the Year.

He threw for 3,308 yards with 38 touchdowns and six interceptions and ran for 138 yards and four scores. Truell set a school record, passing for 533 yards with four touchdowns in a loss to Benedictine, and was named the co-winner of the Finocchiaro Award as the top player in Savannah with Merklinger.

He has offers including Bucknell, Arkansas State, the University of Charleston and Shorter.

Barton Mixon, Savannah Country Day

Mixon had a big time season for the Hornets last year as he got the job done with his arm and legs.

He completed 60% of his passes for 1,837 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while leading the Hornets in rushing with 836 yards and 11 scores.

Stephen Cannon, Benedictine

The junior is following in the footsteps of Luke Kromenhoek (now a freshman at Florida State) and Holden Geriner (Auburn).

He hasn't started a game yet, but Cannon is already on the radar of college recruiters with offers from USF and Miami of Ohio.

Blaise Thomas, Savannah Christian

Thomas became the Raider starter last year as a sophomore and was a solid contributor as the Raiders reached the Class 3A state championship game and finished with a 12-3 record.

He completed 66% of his passes for 1,968 yards with 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions last season and ran for 134 yards and four more scores.

Kirk Scott, Richmond Hill

As a junior last season, Scott threw for 899 yards, completing 58% of his passes with eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

He also ran for 473 yards, with a pair of 100 yard rushing games, and four more scores.

James Mobley IV, Calvary Day

Mobley is another on the list who hasn't yet made a varsity start as he was the backup to Calvary star Jake Merklinger, a four-year starter now at Tennessee.

But Mobley, a left-hander, is an excellent all-around athlete who has some big-time receivers to work with in Thomas Blackshear (committed to Georgia) and highly-recruited Doopah Coleman, both seniors.

Amari Cook, St. Andrew's

Cook was a versatile weapon for the Lions last season as he led the squad with 583 yards rushing, with 227 yards receiving and nine total touchdowns. Now he'll get a chance at quarterback as Zayden Edwards won't play football in his final season as the senior will focus on basketball.

Cook will be one to watch in the triple-option offense under first-year coach Wes Worthington.

Demetrius Holloway, Jenkins

The junior has been a starter since his freshman season at Beach and transferred over to Jenkins during the season last year, closing things out as the Warriors quarterback in their run to the Class 5A quarterfinals. He will lead an offense that is expected to have a strong ground game.

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: Who are the top returning quarterbacks in the Greater Savannah area for 2024?