BRUNSWICK, Ga. – South Effingham’s steadily improving offense couldn’t keep its momentum going Friday night against Glynn Academy at Glynn County Stadium.
The Mustangs managed only a safety in a 28-2 loss to the Red Terrors, slowing their push for a postseason berth with three games left in the regular season.
“I still think five (region) wins can get you in,” Coach Loren Purvis said.
Playoff picture tightens
But it won’t be easy. South Effingham (3-4, 3-2 Region 1-5A) still faces high-powered Bradwell Institute next week, followed by one-loss Statesboro and Brunswick. The Mustangs, who entered Friday tied for second place in the region, slipped to fifth in the nine-team standings. The top four teams advance to state.
Terrors’ defense dominates
Under a steady drizzle, Glynn (5-3, 4-2) controlled the game with an unrelenting defense. The Red Terrors have won four of their last five games — their only loss a last-minute 41-37 setback to region leader Brunswick — after being upset by Bradwell in Week 3.
“We just couldn’t get anything going against (Glynn),” Purvis said. “We made some plays and the defense hung tough, but we couldn’t put enough good plays together. Glynn Academy bled us with their triple-option offense. They’re a very good team.”
Missed opportunities
It was a discouraging night for the Mustangs, coming just a week after they scored a season-high 34 points — 19 above their average — in a win over Greenbrier.
Purvis said the safety in the first half could have been a pivotal moment. South trailed early before pinning the Red Terrors at their own 1-yard line. Special teams recorded the safety when Glynn’s punter took a knee after a bad snap.
The Mustangs got the ball back with a chance to add points but couldn’t capitalize.
“I thought we did a good job playing field position, putting them on the 1-yard line and getting the safety, but we just couldn’t make the plays,” Purvis said.
Glynn, meanwhile, made just enough. Purvis said a missed tackle in the backfield led to a long Red Terror touchdown run.
Looking ahead to Bradwell
South won’t have much time to dwell on the loss. The Mustangs return home next Friday to face a rested Bradwell Institute team that was idle this week.
South has won six of seven meetings against the Tigers since 2014, but Bradwell earned a 38-27 win last season.
“Bradwell is a talented team, and they’re better than they’ve been,” Purvis said. “We’ll have to tackle well, and our offense needs to pick up first downs to control the ball and keep Bradwell’s offense off the field.”
