SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — Armed with highly regarded impact football players seemingly all over the field this season, Effingham County faces a task common to talented teams: turning potential into reality.
Coach John Ford begins his sixth season with the Rebels. Last year’s squad won eight games for the first time since 2002. His 2023 team won a region championship for the first time since 1995.
He’s had good teams here before.
But missing from the equation are state playoff wins — five straight first-round playoff losses, none more excruciating than the 34-33 stunner to Clarke Central last season.
“Winning in the state playoffs is something we should be able to do here,” Ford said. “We want to get into games in late November, early December. That’s what we talk about. Winning one (playoff) game would be great, but that’s not (all) we’re striving to be.”
This year’s team, infused by four Savannah Christian transfers, has the ingredients to interrupt Thanksgiving and extend the season beyond it. College recruiters have their GPS programmed to Springfield.
Effingham County’s offense returns 1,000-yard rusher Jmere Doe-Davis and has 6-foot-4, 320-pound tackle Jordan Dillon, a Georgia Tech commit, to block for him.
The wide receiver trio of Trayvis Hunter (Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter’s younger brother, with six Division I offers, including Wake Forest), Isaiah Brown (six Division I offers, including Georgia Tech and Florida State) and Malik Letman returns to an attack that averaged a school-record 37.9 points per game.
On defense, interior lineman RJ Brown (18 Division I offers, including Georgia and Georgia Tech), outside linebacker/defensive back Jernard Albright (committed to Florida State) and defensive back Chris Jenkins (four Division I offers, including Kansas) are elite playmakers.
“We just have to put it together. Play hard and play as one,” Ford said.
Fixing the defense
Last year, the defense was a problem, allowing almost 30 points per game. New coordinator Jordan Mullis, a former head coach at Appling County, has installed a 4-2-5 alignment and made some personnel changes.
“We weren’t good enough on that side last year,” Ford said. “(Mullis) is very, very sound, very detail-oriented. I’ve learned a lot just by talking with him. He’s made me a better coach.”
Albright, a physical presence who was second on the team in tackles (50) a year ago, moved from free safety to the “star” position, which allows him to help against the pass and the run.
Kris Swinney moved from cornerback to safety, and Doe-Davis, who played some defense as a freshman, will see double duty at safety.
Jenkins, Letman and Ja’Tiyus Scott are battling for the two cornerback spots.
Jackson Eubanks and Parker Nelson are the inside linebackers, with help from Albright.
The line is inexperienced. RJ Brown, a 6-foot-2, 290-pound junior guard from Savannah Christian, played mostly on offense for the Raiders last season but will be the focal point of the Rebels’ rebuilt defense.
“I think he’s going to be a problem for people,” Ford said coyly.
Senior Deyvon Aaron and sophomore Wyatt Haley patrol the ends, and Immanuel Mouhon lines up at guard beside Brown.
Brody Jordan, Carson Noyes (the grandson of former Effingham County coach Rick Tomberlin) and Ashton Nelms add depth.
Finding a quarterback
Offensively, the Rebels graduated productive quarterback Tucker Perkins, who threw for 4,111 yards and 51 touchdowns during the last two years.
Heirs to the position — Matthew Dillon, a sophomore from Savannah Christian, and Swinney, who saw playing time as a backup — bring different skill sets.
Dillon is a smart, accurate passer from the pocket. Swinney, who averaged 7.6 yards per carry, is a running threat with breakaway speed.
Ford said he’s comfortable with both.
“You tailor (the plays) to what your quarterback can do and what you can block,” he said. “What you like as an offensive coach is irrelevant. Who are your playmakers and get them the ball. Figure out what your kids can do and construct (the plan) around them.”
Running back Doe-Davis (1,023 rushing yards, eight touchdowns) and wide receivers Hunter (46 receptions, 677 yards, six touchdowns), Isaiah Brown (25-430, five touchdowns) and Letman (17-329, three touchdowns) give Ford options.
Ford said he’d like to get Doe-Davis 20-25 touches a game, and the receiving corps that includes Doe-Davis out of the backfield and tight end Nelson “might be the best I’ve been around.”
There’s also a strong stable of reserve running backs — Jordan Mydell and freshmen Frank King and Bradford Joyner — who will keep Doe-Davis fresh.
Rebuilding the line
Left tackle Jordan Dillon, Matthew’s older brother, guards Ethan Martin and Nelms, center Creek Durden, right guard Josh Edwards and right tackle Noyes are leading candidates to start on the rebuilding line.
Sophomore Brayden Edwards should take over the kicking chores.
“We like our processes. We’ve made some changes,” Ford said. “We hired (strength coach Ross Garner last year) and feel good about him in the new weight room getting our kids bigger, faster and stronger. We’re just trying to do everything a little bit better than last year.”
TEAM SNAPSHOT
Head Coach: John Ford (sixth season, 34-20)
2025 Record: 8-3, 7-1 Region 1-5A
Key returnees: QB/S Kris Swinney, RB Jmere Doe-Davis, WR Trayvis Hunter, WR Isaiah Brown, LB/DB Jernard Albright.
Key Losses: Tucker Perkins, Duff Davis, JR McKenzie.
FIVE GAME YOU CAN’T MISS
Aug. 21 at Richmond Hill (Class 7A Wildcats advanced to state playoffs last season.)
Aug. 28 vs. Tift County (Class 7A squad had deceiving 3-7 record after playing five teams ranked in the top-10)
Oct. 2 at Glynn Academy (Last two games have featured 88 and 87 points combined, both won by ECHS by a total of five points.)
Oct. 16 vs. South Effingham (Rebels looking to extend winning streak over cross-county rival to seven games.)
Oct. 30 at Brunswick (Four of the last five region championships came down to winning this game.)
