GUYTON -- The County Champions Trophy will stay put for another year, prompting a surprising celebratory dance.

The Effingham County Rebels (1-2) maintained possession of the large memento by harnessing the South Effingham Mustangs (0-3) 43-20 Thursday night at The Corral.The Rebels' second straight win in the series gave them an overall lead of 13-11.

The contest, originally slated for Friday but moved up a day because of the threat of Hurricane Irma, was tight in the first half unitl Demonte Stokes ripped off an 83-yard scoring run with 1:32 to go. The Rebels then opened the second half with an equal flourish as Jerid Stokes connected with Dermario Gant on a 57-yard touchdown pass. The play completed a two-play, 73-yard drive. 

Gant, who also tallied Effingham County's first score with a short touchdown grab on its opening possesion, got into trouble with the coaching staff for dancing in the end zone.

Later, Rebels coach Buddy Holder was gyrating in a postseason huddle, drawing laughs from his team.

"We got on Demario a little bit for doing it in the end zone," Holder said. "I told him if we  win this game and do it decisively, then you and I can dance together after the game."

See the Sept. 13 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.

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