SAVANNAH, Ga. - GeorgiaChron -- Bethesda Academy, an independent day school for boys in grades six through twelve, dedicated its new athletic field with a home game. The Blazers faced off against Orangeburg Prep, marking a historic moment for the school and its competitive football program.

For years, Bethesda Academy's football program has played home games at Daffin Park, located nine miles from the school's south Savannah campus. The new on-campus field fulfills a long-held dream for the school community, fostering a true home-field advantage and boosting school spirit.

"This new athletic field is a perfect example of how we strive to provide our students with exceptional opportunities," said Dr. Christian Proctor, Interim President of Bethesda Academy. "Our boys see the impressive entrances at other schools, and Bethesda has one of the most iconic ones in this city. Now more people will see that, our beautiful campus and this excellent field we've built."

Bethesda Academy's football program began in 2002 with 8-man football. After a successful season in 2004, the team transitioned to 11-man football in 2006. Chaplain, Athletic Director, and Head Coach Antwain Turner has led the program's growth for over 20 years.

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"We've built a strong team culture and instilled a commitment to hard work," said Coach Turner. "The new field is a testament to the dedication of our players, coaches, and supporters."

The new athletic field is equipped with a high-quality, low-maintenance turf surface, ensuring optimal playing conditions for various sports. The field features regulation-sized lines for football and a surrounding track suitable for track and field events, creating a multi-purpose athletic complex.

During a pre-game dedication, Coach Turner blessed the field, honoring Bethesda Academy's mission to teach a love of God, a love of learning and a strong work ethic.

"This project truly elevates our athletic program," said Dr. Proctor. "This is a culmination of years of hard work. I inherited this project when I started, so I want to share credit with my predecessor Dr. Michael Hughes, and we are grateful to the generous donors, particularly the Bethesda Academy Women's Board, who made this possible without taking on any debt." Proctor also thanked JE Dunn Construction for completing the project on time.

The Bethesda Academy football team is currently 7-3. They are the defending SCISA AA state champions and are expected to make a deep playoff run this season. For more information on the Bethesda Academy football schedule, visit https://maxpreps.com/ga/savannah/bethesda-academy-blazers/football/.