SPRINGFIELD, Ga. – Effingham County football coach John Ford has handled off weeks differently over the years, depending on his teams.

With a mix of young players and veterans this season, Ford used last week to go back to basics. The rejuvenated Rebels (4-2, 3-1 Region 1-5A) return to action Friday night at the Griff against struggling Evans (1-5, 1-3).

“In 2021, when I first got here and we were trying to flip the culture, we went two hours — a full practice during the off week — and we didn’t drop any volume. This week, we kept up high intensity but not necessarily the high volume,” said Ford, who gave his players Monday and Friday off but worked them hard during the middle of the week.

Coaches take deeper look

Without the pressure of game preparation, Ford said the coaching staff took extra time to evaluate everything from personnel to play calling.

“Without going into specifics, we did a deep dive, basically peeling back the onion to look into everything we’re doing. Are there changes that can make us better?” Ford said.

For the players, the off week also provided a chance for bumps and bruises to heal.

Offense finds Its rhythm

Effingham County enters the Evans game on a three-game winning streak. The Rebels are tied for second place in the region standings with surprising South Effingham and Statesboro — two teams that missed the state playoffs last season.

After early struggles against Houston County and Brunswick, the Rebels’ offense has averaged nearly 45 points per game during their current streak. The running back tandem of Jmere Doe-Davis and JR McKenzie has combined for 970 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

McKenzie has scored two touchdowns in each of the last four games.

Defense rises to the challenge

The defense has improved as well, surrendering fewer than 225 yards in each of its last two outings.

Junior safety Jernard Albright leads the unit with 28 tackles. Senior linemen Landon Carter (eight tackles for loss, four sacks) and Marshawn Monroe (4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks) have been disruptive in opponents’ backfields.

Focused on the finish

Now, Ford’s squad controls its own destiny in the push for a playoff berth and a chance to host a first-round game during the final four weeks of the regular season.

It starts against Evans, which has lost three straight. The Knights’ skid began with a 65-0 loss to Brunswick, followed by a 14-10 loss to South Effingham and a 40-17 defeat to Glynn Academy last week. Evans is averaging just 10 points per game, last in the region.

Ford dismissed the idea that his players might be overconfident heading into the final stretch. ECHS’ last four opponents have a combined 10-15 record.

“You can’t let your opponent dictate your standards,” Ford said. “We want to go 1-0 every week.”