By Barry Every
SouthernPigskin.com

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Moon tallied a whopping 158 tackles, 19 TFL’s, two sacks, two INT’s, four PBU’s, three FR’s and scored three defensive touchdowns last season.

After winning ten or more games a season from 2007 to 2011, including a GHSA-A State Championship, Savannah (Ga.) Savannah Christian managed just one ten win season from 2012 to 2017. In comes first year head coach Baker Woodward who changed the Raiders fortunes with an (11-2) mark and a Region Championship in 2018.

A turn around doesn’t occur without great players that are willing to listen and learn. One of those students of the game was junior two-way standout Nate Moon. Offensively he carried the rock 127 times for 864 yards and 12 touchdowns while catching 20 passes for 386 yards and an additional two scores.

As impressive as his offensive stats were, it was the defensive side of the ball where his opponents felt his impact. Moon tallied a whopping 158 tackles, 19 TFL’s, two sacks, two INT’s, four PBU’s, three FR’s and scored three defensive touchdowns. These are not career statistics but what he accomplished wearing the Raider red and black in 2018.

In nine games as a sophomore Moon recorded 50 tackles, 10 TFL’s, three sacks, one INT, three PBU’s and one FR. This is someone who could easily finish his career with over 300 tackles and 50 TFL’s while going over 1,500-yard rushing barrier.

“He is a tremendous person and a great christian young man,” Woodward said. “He is also a great leader that can be vocal, but he mostly leads through example. Nate is the first in line for drills and is also tops in the classroom. You only have to tell him things one-time. He never forgets and he is a dream player to coach.”

His superior performance on the gridiron was not overlooked as he earned Co-Region Player of the Year as well as being named the Defensive Player of the Year by the Savannah Quarterback Club.  He was also named to the GHSA-A (Private) First Team All-State by the AJC and First the Team All-Greater Savannah by the Savannah Morning News.

“He’s probably a secondary guy at the next level even though he played field-backer for us last season,” Woodward said. “I think he was second in the state in total tackles and for 85% of the season last year he was our leading rusher. We cannot lose this kid on offense or defense, he was even voted as a captain as a junior.”

Speaking of being tops in the classroom, Moon holds a 4.1 GPA and has a 1280 on the SAT. Possibly more amazing than that is the fact that he has scored a 29 on the ACT. He recently retook the ACT and has set a goal of attaining a 33. His academic prowess allows for every college in the United States to recruit him. He hopes to major in structural or civil engineering in college.

When not practicing with his fellow Raiders the 5-foot-10, 170-pound athlete takes part in soccer where he is a striker on the pitch. He is no slouch in the weight room either with a 235-pound bench, 410-pound squat and a 225-pound power clean. Moon also takes part as a key member of the Greed-D-Boyz 7-on-7 traveling squad.

“I played for the Greed-D-Boyz last year and decided to do it again this year,” Moon said. “Being part of 7-on-7 really gets me ready for camps. It’s all about one-on-one matchups and man coverage. Being part of this 7-on-7 team just really gets me ready for the battles I will face in a camp environment.”

Moon has taken unofficial visits to Furman and The Citadel as well as taking part in the Kennesaw State and Mercer Mega Camps. This coming camp season he plans on hitting them again as well as camping at the LaGrange Camp of Champions. Schools showing the most interest in his talents so far are The Citadel, Furman, Mercer and of course most of the Ivy League Schools.

“His tackling skills are incredible; he just has a knack for avoiding the block to make the tackle,” Woodward said. “I’ve seen him put many of 200-pound running backs on their back. He can also cover and get down in the box. I think he could play strong safety or even corner. I’m a little bias, but he’s one of the top players in the state and whoever gets him is getting a steal.”

Moon hopes to lead the Raiders to another Region Championship while living out the team dream of playing for it all in ‘The Benz” this December. He is also hoping that colleges that offer his desired major notice his football talents.

“My biggest asset is my tackling ability; I just don’t miss many tackles,” Moon said. “I’m a real cerebral player that watches a lot of film. I just need to work on my ball skills an put myself in the right position to create more turnovers for my team. As a senior this year I have to hold my teammates accountable and fill the vocal role of that last year’s senior leaders.”

It is just a matter of time before this true student-athlete receives his first scholarship offer. His production on the field coupled with his academic success speaks volumes as a player and a person. With a world deficit of leaders, Moon speaks through his actions and with his ability to lead others.