By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
GUYTON – After a winless 2024 season, South Effingham football wanted to spring forward during its spring game May 16.
The Mustangs fumbled the game’s first snap from scrimmage and two plays later Long County scored a touchdown.
Not exactly the start Coach Loren Purvis hoped to see.
SEHS made some plays, but had three costly turnovers when the first-teamers were in action. The Blue Tide built a 20-point first-half lead and sailed to a 20-16 victory over the Mustangs at the Corral.
“The first half wasn’t what we wanted,” Purvis said. “We were rotating guys. Some may not be getting reps by the time we get to August but we have to see what they have.”
Ten spring practices within 13 days help in the weeding process. South’s football players will be off for graduation, followed by the dead week around Memorial Day before athletes return in June.
But memories from the spring game will sting. Long County, coached by former SEHS assistant Mike Pfiester, used a power running attack to produce 144 of its 181 total first-half yards on the ground.
After Long’s Jason Familia broke a 20-yard TD run in the opening minutes of the game, Charles Cortney out-ran the defense for a 65-yard score midway through the second quarter.
And after a Mustangs interception, the Tide went 55 yards on nine plays, capped by Dylan Tyler’s 1-yard quarterback sneak for Long’s third score.
During the final two minutes of the first half, South’s passing attack began to click. Rising sophomore George Bushatz completed five straight passes to march the Mustangs from their own 35 to the Tide’s 8.
Bushatz’s sixth pass was intercepted to end the threat.
“Those are the kind of mistakes we made last season. We have to exorcise the demons, I guess,” Purvis said. “We’re getting better. The kids are working.”
Bushatz, who started, led a touchdown drive on South’s first possession of the third quarter before leaving. He completed 7-of-12 passes for 89 yards.
Khyran White had 25 yards on seven carries.
“We have talent at running back. They just have to trust our blocks and we have to make the blocks upfront,” Purvis said.
Hayden Still and Landyn White caught two passes apiece for 30 and 26 yards respectively. Tight end Corey Woods had a big 17-yard reception during the two-minute drill at the end of the first half.
SEHS freshman Darius Lane ran for a 66-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter as both teams used freshmen and first-year players. On the final play of the game, junior Levi Adams booted a 38-yard field goal.
“We still have a lot of work to do, but we have kids who are working hard to get better so that’s encouraging,” Purvis said.
SEHS’ season begins Aug. 15 at home against New Hampstead
