GUYTON, Ga. – South Effingham coach Loren Purvis says he studies film, analyzes statistics and evaluates potential matchups – and his Mustangs and visiting Evans on Friday night look about as even as it gets.
Both teams favor the run, both have struggled to score, and both have beaten winless Lakeside. Both enter the game 1-3 overall and 1-1 in Region 1-5A.
“Evans has kids who can hurt us,” Purvis said. “We have to do our jobs. Our kids are playing hard right now, and they have to realize we have a shot in this region if we play to our abilities every Friday night. We can’t have an off week. We’re not talented enough.”
Mustangs coming off loss
South is coming off a 49-21 loss to Effingham County last Friday in a closer game than the score indicates. The Mustangs trailed 35-21 and were driving midway through the third quarter, but a fumble in the red zone halted their momentum.
The Knights, meanwhile, had a much-needed open week to regroup after suffering the largest margin of defeat in school history – a 65-0 loss to Brunswick on Sept. 5.
Stakes high in region battle
The winner of Friday’s matchup positions itself for one of the four region spots in the state playoffs.
Two years ago, in Purvis’ first season as head coach, the two teams met in the regular-season finale with a state berth on the line. The Mustangs led with nine minutes remaining before the Knights scored three touchdowns to dampen South’s best season percentage-wise (6-4, .600) since 2015.
Last year, Evans relied on a power running attack and threw just six passes to methodically wear down the Mustangs in a 35-0 victory.
The Knights have a similar approach this season, though they are averaging less than 10 points per game. Senior running back Breyden Johnson is averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game. Senior Tripp Furgeison is a first-year starting quarterback, while junior wide receiver Christian Scott – a first-team all-region performer – led the team last year with 14 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, senior linebackers Bryson Crewe (20 tackles, 5 tackles for loss) and JaBraylon Kennedy (16 tackles, 2.5 sacks) can be disruptive forces.
“They have good kids. You see scores and you say to yourself, ‘Where can they hurt you, and how will you match up with that?’” Purvis said.
Evans defeated Lakeside 27-12, while South topped the Panthers 20-14 in overtime. Breaking a 13-game losing streak and then giving rival Effingham County a competitive effort should give the Mustangs confidence.
“Breaking the losing streak just lets kids know we weren’t lying to them about all those games,” Purvis said. “We were telling them if you stick with it, play hard enough and smart enough, you’re going to give yourself a chance to win. I have a feeling playing Evans will be another game like that.”
