By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Effingham County quarterback Tucker Perkins remained as confident as ever in the team’s passing game, despite missing a trio of familiar receivers on Day 1 of spring football.

“We have guys coming back who are very good – Genard (Albright), Noah (Reese) and Trayvis (Hunter) – so I don’t see why we can’t repeat (the statistics) from last season,” said Perkins, who threw for 2,619 yards and 32 touchdowns in the regular season while earning Region 1-5A’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2024.

If nothing else the 10 days of spring football, culminating with a scrimmage against Richmond Hill on May 15, breeds optimism. The Rebels posted a 6-5 record last season and were clicking at a high level at the end of the season after an 0-3 start.

Twenty-six players earned all-region honors on either the first, second or honorable mention teams. Most were seniors who are now graduating.

“You know, from the moment they walk in, in four years, they’re walking out,” Rebels coach John Ford said. “We have a group of kids that’s inexperienced but they’re talented and we’re excited to have them.”

“Tucker is a great kid and a hard worker,” Ford said. “Last year doesn’t have anything to do with this year and he has to prove it all over again. He did a lot of great things last year, but he’s a competitive, hungry kid so I’m looking forward to seeing him develop.”

Albright, a 6-3, 225-pound sophomore, is a welcomed newcomer who was ineligible last season after leading Ebenezer to a middle school football championship in 2023. Ford said Georgia Southern University recruiters saw Albright working out in the weight room and immediately offered him a scholarship.

Hunter, who has excellent speed, is the younger brother of Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who was the second pick in the recent NFL draft by Jacksonville.

And the Rebels running game looks solid behind Jmere Doe-Davis, who ran for 861 yards and nine TDs and caught 20 passes for 393 yards and four scores.

But who’s going to block? The offensive line lost four starters. Graduation did a number on the defense and special teams as well.

Spring workouts will begin the evaluation process that ultimately forms a starting lineup for the Aug. 22 opener against Houston County.

Day One was encouraging, Ford said.

“It was a good first day. There was a lot of energy, a lot of guys flying around,” he said.