SPRINGFIELD, Ga. – Potential by itself doesn’t win football games, and Effingham County, loaded with potential, has an 0-2 record after two weeks of the regular season.
But the Rebels are close. They’re hoping for a breakout game 7:30 p.m. Friday against New Hampstead at Rebel Field.
“We’re a really good football team, and we’re going to put it together at some point,” ECHS coach John Ford said.
The Rebels have suffered two heartbreaking losses — 22-21 to Richmond Hill and 25-22 to Tift County.
New Hampstead struggled in its opening-night loss to Bradwell Institute, 47-34.
But the Phoenix have a recent history of rising to play ECHS tough. The Rebels won last year, 23-20, only after stopping the two-win team in the red zone in the final minute.
In 2025, ECHS posted a 41-point uprising in just 30 minutes but lost to New Hampstead, 47-44, in the final minute of one of the wildest games in recent memory.
New Hampstead brings a veteran coach
Ford said he watched a preseason scrimmage between the Phoenix and Savannah Christian. New Hampstead has new faces learning hard-nosed football from a veteran coach.
“Coach (Kyle) Hockman does a great job with young quarterbacks,” Ford said. “They do a good job on offense, finding ways to get the ball into playmakers’ hands. On defense, they’re very aggressive, very multiple, and they jump into a lot of (alignments). They give you a lot of looks and try to confuse you.”
Hockman has been at New Hampstead for eight seasons, but probably earned his standing during 11 years at McEachern. He inherited a four-win team, but two years later began a stretch of 10 straight state playoff appearances, three times advancing to the state semifinals.
He led McEachern to 10 or more wins in a season eight times and won five region titles. His offenses scored 400 or more points in a season 10 times.
Hockman is rebuilding at New Hampstead, but he has a strong foundation led by wide receiver Christian Kinlaw, quarterback Antonio Benton and linebacker David Kirkland.
Rebels need to clean up mistakes
Ford and his Rebels can’t afford to overlook the Phoenix. Both teams will be looking for their first win.
ECHS has been mistake-prone. A blocked extra point against Richmond Hill and a blocked punt against Tift County were difference-makers.
Rebels sophomore quarterback Matthew Dillon, a first-year starter, has been a pleasant surprise. Dillon completed 22 of 28 passes for 226 yards and two scores against Tift County.
“He’s getting better every time. I have a lot of faith in him. I have faith in the offensive line. I have faith in the skill players,” Ford said. “I promise, we’re going to be OK. Tift is a really good team. Richmond Hill is a really good team, and we’re a really good team. We’re right there. We’re going to keep fighting, keep chopping wood.”
