By Barry Every
SouthernPigskin.com

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6-foot-3, 290-pound two-way lineman Fuches Lewis starts at both right offensive guard and defensive tackle for the Calvary Day Cavaliers

After back-to-back ten win seasons, Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day went through an injury filled season in 2019 finishing (7-4/2-3). Making a first round exit in the GHSA-A (Private) Playoffs was not what Head coach Mark Stroud had in  mind for his band of Cavaliers.

One player that missed several games last year was 6-foot-3, 290-pound two-way lineman Fuches Lewis, II. Lewis starts at both right offensive guard and defensive tackle for the Cavaliers. Despite missing five games due to an ankle sprain, he still managed to rack up 36 tackles, five TFL’s and four sacks while blowing holes in the opponent’s defensive front. Lewis was named First Team All-Greater Savannah on the defensive side of the ball.

As a sophomore Lewis saw double duty action recording 41 tackles, 6 TFL’s and one sack. His football prowess did not go unnoticed earning Second Team All-Greater Savannah as a defensive lineman.

“I was really impressed with Lewis; He was injured most of last year and fought through it really hard,” Stroud said. “As soon as he came back we started playing really well with him starting on both sides of the ball. I was just so impressed with his effort and attitude, playing almost every snap on both sides of the ball. In this world that effort is different.”

At this time Lewis has garnered offers from Air Force, Akron, Coastal Carolina, Liberty, Navy and Troy. He is also receiving heavy interest from Appalachian State, East Carolina, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. One school he would like to hear more from is Auburn. It should come as no surprise that the budding defender is impressed with the Tiger’s dominant defensive line play.

“He is a young man that set the goal of playing major college football at an early age and he has worked toward reaching that goal for a long time,” Stroud said. “He is a real student of the game and a very instinctive player. Lewis has worked hard and done all the extra things to achieve his long term goal.  He is not just dreaming about the future but stepping up and putting in the effort to attain his goals. He has also become a great leader and is a great character guy.”

Lewis has already made several unofficial visits which include stops at Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. He plans on visiting Georgia Tech and Wake Forest again as well as checking out Coastal Carolina, Navy and Troy.

“Three coaches that are really standing out to me are Malcolm Dixon (Coastal Carolina), Tray Scott (Georgia) and Davern Williams (Troy),” Lewis said. “Coach Dixon does a great job of keeping in constant contact with me. Coach Scott is great responding to any question I send him via text messaging and Coach Williams seems like a real down-to-earth guy while really knowing what he is talking about.”

Academically Lewis holds a 2.8 GPA and is awaiting the results of his February ACT. He is scheduled for the SAT on March, 14. Lewis is no slouch in the weight room either boasting a 370-pound bench, 460-pound squat and a 295-pound power clean. When not on the gridiron Lewis takes part in the shotput and discus for the Cavalier Track Squad.

“I hope everyone will see what I see; he will be a great player at the next level,” Stroud said. “He carries 290-pounds but looks like he weighs 260-pounds. I’m sure there will be a flock of schools that come by this spring and notice how big he has gotten. I’ll be a little surprised if he doesn’t receive more offers.”

Just last month Lewis competed in the MVP Camp held in Valdosta. The massive interior defensive lineman did not disappoint taking home DL MVP honors.

“I can always improve my quickness especially considering I keep getting bigger and stronger,” Lewis said. “I still surprise the offensive lineman with my use of hands. They think I’m going to bull-rush, but I don’t play like that.”
With recruiting in full swing for Lewis, what does he have to do as a player and leader to help guide Calvary Day back to the top of parochial football in Savannah?  This also means making a deep run in the GHSA Playoffs.

“I feel like the young guys look up to me and I know they have matured as players,” Lewis said. “But, I still have to lead them in areas that they don’t understand, like stopping the counters that our opponents ran on us last season. I’m confident in my leadership abilities and not afraid to use my voice when someone is not giving 100%. I’ll call them out, because if I don’t, the next mistake could cost us an actual game.”

I have witnessed this colossal Cavalier in action and up close in person. He definitely possesses the strength and girth to anchor down the interior defensive line at the next level. More importantly he physically looks like the ideal three-tech/nose guard on the hoof.