GUYTON, Ga. – South Effingham football players rushed Khyran White in celebration Friday night after a long-awaited victory. Coach Loren Purvis admitted he fought back tears during his post-game speech.
“Just to see the joy on our kids’ faces,” Purvis said. “It was cool.”

The Mustangs snapped a 13-game losing streak dating back to Nov. 3, 2023, with a 20-14 overtime win over Lakeside (Evans) at the Corral. The victory adds extra intrigue to next Friday’s matchup with rival Effingham County, marking the first time since 2022 that both teams will enter the game coming off a win.

White’s 12-yard touchdown run broke the deadlock in overtime, three plays after Corey Woods’ interception stymied the Panthers’ first possession.

Breaking the streak

South Effingham (1-2, 1-0 in Class 5A Region 1) had not won since defeating Grovetown 40-14 on Oct. 27, 2023.
“We’ve continually gotten better, but there’s a degree of doubt that you have to overcome during a long losing streak,” Purvis said. “You keep telling your players, ‘Play like you know how to.’”

Battle of rebuilding teams

Lakeside, a 10-win state tournament team a year ago, suffered significant losses to graduation, putting the Panthers in a rebuilding scenario similar to South Effingham’s. The Panthers defeated the Mustangs 49-6 last season and are 0-4 to start this year.

South answered an early Panther touchdown with freshman quarterback Liam Coburn’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Woods, followed by Adam Alonso’s extra point to take a 7-6 lead.

Big plays from key players

White had a big first half with about 70 rushing yards. A key interception in the end zone by sophomore defensive back Semaj Calhoun helped the Mustangs maintain their lead at halftime. White added a 25-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and Alonso’s kick made it 14-6. Lakeside responded with a touchdown and two-point conversion to tie the game with less than two minutes remaining.

“We have such a young team – only 13 seniors on the 84-man roster – and we’re developing kids,” Purvis said. “Sometimes the freshmen and sophomores play like you think they can. Other times they make the mistakes of 14- and 15-year-olds.”

Defense holds strong

Purvis said the defense played well after surrendering 55 points in a loss to defending state champion Toombs County. South gave up a fumble at its 8-yard line, which set up Lakeside’s first touchdown, but the Mustangs kept fighting. They had lost a close 14-6 game to New Hampstead in the season opener due to missed key plays.

“You’re always fighting the negativity,” Purvis said. “We have to remind them, if a game is on the line, it’s OK to win.”

A long-overdue victory

Actually, it’s more than OK. Purvis said he’s received “tons of calls and texts” of congratulations.
“I thank everyone for being supportive,” he said. “It was a fun one. We got the monkey off our back. At the team pre-game meal, I told them we are way overdue. I’m proud of them. Our kids have never given up.”