SPRINGFIELD — Austin Czachowski has replaced Matt Vickery as the head coach of the Effingham County boys soccer team.
Czachowski spent two seasons as an assistant coach before being promoted last month. His first order of business is helping the Rebels become the team to beat in Region 2-AAAAAA.
“I would like to see us become the team that everyone is going to really dislike going to play,” Czachowski said. “Not from the sense that we are going to be dirty or cheat, but in the sense that you know if you are coming to play us it’s going to be hard. It’s going to be physical and you’re going to get a good game.
“In reality, that’s what everyone says about Glynn Academy and Richmond Hill. I want to be the bully on the block so to speak.”
While most people think players simply need speed and athleticism to put the ball in the back of the net, Czachowski thinks the game is quite physical and is looking forward to getting his team into a weight training regimen to help it stand tall against squads with a size advantage
“My philosophy, with the background in football and then just general knowledge of soccer, I want to bring more physicality to our team,” Czachowski said. “That was one thing you could always notice about other teams was that we would appear to be the team that wasn’t quite as physical and I think maybe that has to do with not having a definitive weightlifting program for soccer. I am looking to implement a weight training program to get our guys to be stronger, faster and a lot more physical in the way we play soccer.”
While the Rebels have had success, it’s been a struggle for the team to make a deep run in the state playoffs. Czachowski hopes to help the Rebels inch step closer to becoming a state title contender.
“(I am) looking forward to seeing growth and success,” Czachowski said. “It’s always so interesting to me when you start out the season. Each team is different every year because you don’t know what you’re going to get because kids got better, some kids didn’t get any better, so when you actually get to the season and see success, that’s the interesting part.”
Freshman QB Liam Coburn powers through the defense for tough yardage. His play helped spark the Mustangs. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)
Donald Heath
Updated: Aug 17, 2025, 10:27 AM
Published: Aug 16, 2025, 4:39 PM
GUYTON, Ga.– South Effingham freshman quarterback Liam Coburn decided to do something about his team’s struggling offense Friday night.
Facing third-and-long early in the fourth quarter, Coburn, not known for scrambling, took off out of the pocket and hit a defensive back so hard the defender’s helmet flew off.
The Mustangs bench erupted, and the hit provided some much-needed energy.
“I think our team is in a much better spot,” South coach Loren Purvis said. “They care. They understand what it takes.”
The Mustangs couldn’t overcome a sluggish start and lost their season opener to New Hampstead 14-6. But the display of passion — often missing during the winless 2024 season — was readily apparent.
“We have nine more games left, and I think we’re going to build off this,” Coburn said. “This is a different team than in the past.”
A pregame downpour and flashes of lightning in the area delayed kickoff for about an hour and a half. The game ended at 11:52 p.m.
South Effingham’s Alex Cabrera chases down a New Hampstead ball carrier. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)
Defense Keeps Game Close
Once the game started, South’s defense kept things close with four stops inside the red zone. The offense eventually scored on Maddox Vasquez’s 2-yard touchdown run with 5:58 left.
But the Mustangs couldn’t stop Phoenix running back Christian Kinlaw, who scored on runs of 31 and 20 yards and caught a two-point conversion from quarterback Erik Hockman to build a 14-0 lead through three quarters.
Kinlaw did most of his damage during the final three quarters, running for 160 yards on 18 carries. A year ago, New Hampstead rang up 56 points against South Effingham.
“I was very proud of the defense,” Mustangs middle linebacker Corey Woods said. “I think we took a major step as a defense. We had more energy. I love that. We all did our one eleven.”
Woods explained the team phrase “doing your one eleven” means there are 11 defenders on the field. You do your one job and trust your other 10 teammates to do theirs.
South’s defense walks off the field after stopping New Hampstead’s two-point conversion attempt. The unit also recorded four red-zone stops to keep the Mustangs competitive in their season opener. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)
Special Teams, Offense Struggle
But South's special teams and offense couldn’t find traction. Special teams missed a short field goal and an extra-point kick after a touchdown, had a snap hit an upback during a punt formation, and surrendered an onside kick during a kickoff.
The offense had just two first downs until the final drive of the third quarter. Coburn’s 10-yard scramble and big hit—and a subsequent helmet-to-helmet 15-yard penalty assessed to the New Hampstead defense—highlighted South’s 11-play, 54-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter.
“I rolled out and saw a dude and I thought, ‘I’m going to get my lick on him.’ It got the energy going,” Coburn said. “We got a little momentum going, and we were gaining confidence as the game went on.”
South Effingham’s Landyn White attempts to bring down New Hampstead running back Christian Kinlaw, who finished with two touchdowns and a two-point conversion. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)
Heart-Stopping Moment
After the touchdown drive, South’s defense stopped New Hampstead at South's 19. On the Mustangs’ next offensive play, Woods just missed making a big play when he couldn’t haul in Coburn’s pass after gaining a step on the defender on a fly pattern.
“I’m going to move on from it,” Woods said. “I’m going to catch more balls in practice, and the next time I get that opportunity, I’ll be good.”
South had a last possession deep in its own territory in the final minute. Mustangs wide receiver Landyn White caught a short pass, took a hit on the sidelines, and laid motionless before responding to medical personnel, Purvis said. White was taken off the field on a stretcher and into an ambulance.
It was a sobbing moment that shook up players and coaches. Purvis tried his best to put the game in perspective in the silent locker room.
“The kids came out and competed. You can build on that,” he said.
A fired-up Christian Magwood is greeted by his South Effingham teammates on the sideline. (Birk Herrath / Effingham Herald)
Looking Ahead
South now has a bye week next Friday before traveling to Toombs County on Aug. 29.
