SPRINGFIELD -- Junior quarterback Nate Hayes threw three touchdown passes and Keion Wallace returned a punt for a score to lead Effingham County to a 28-14 victory over pesky Grovetown Friday night at the Griff.

ECHS (5-2, 3-0 Region 2-AAAAAA) won its fifth game in a row, equalling streaks set in 2016, 2012 and 2006. The Rebels had a six-game winning streak in 2002.

Hayes, coming off a 221-yard performance against Glynn Academy on Oct 5,  had a 21-yard TD pass to Timmy Brown in the first quarter and a 12-yarder to Ashley Thompson in the second quarter. But each time, Grovetown (3-4, 0-3) answered with the tying score on TD runs by Amare Clark.

But in the final minutes of the third quarter, with the game tied at 14, ECHS marched 77 yards on 10 plays, culminating the drive on Hayes' TD pass to Wallace.

The defense then got a stop and Wallace returned the punt 66 yards for a touchdown to give the Rebels some breathing room.

ECHS junior running back Jayden Evans finished with 110 rushing yards on 20 carries, including 58 yards during his final two possessions.

The Rebels will be back in action next Friday at the Griff against Evans.