RICHMOND, HILL, Ga. - Effingham County’s Jmere Doe scored on a dramatic 60-yard run with 2:06 left, only to have Richmond Hill block the potential game-tying extra-point kick in the Rebels’ 22-21 season-opening loss to the host Wildcats Friday night.
It was ECHS’ second missed PAT of the game. The Rebels also had a touchdown negated by a penalty.
“I was proud of how we competed. We just made more mistakes than they did. Credit to Richmond Hill,” ECHS coach John Ford said.
Another tough opener
It was the sixth straight season-opening loss for the Rebels — three against Richmond Hill. The last two years, ECHS dropped shootouts with state contender Houston County. In 2021, the Rebels lost to South Carolina state runner-up Beaufort.
“I like playing good teams to start the season, and with the PSR (postseason rankings), it’s even more important,” Ford said. “I believe if you want to win (postseason) games in November, you have to get used to the physicality and toughness of the Houston Countys and Richmond Hills.”
Richmond Hill, which placed fourth in one of the toughest regions in the state, Region 1-6A, last season, scored its game-winning touchdown with about three minutes left and made a two-point conversion to take a 22-15 advantage.
Effingham’s Doe-Davis, who ran for about 150 yards, answered with his long run two plays later.
Dillon settles in
Doe-Davis and Isaiah Brown also caught touchdown passes from first-year starting quarterback Matthew Dillon, who threw for 199 yards while playing the entire game.
Dillon was in a battle for the starting job throughout the preseason with Kris Swinney to take over for Tucker Perkins, who threw for 4,111 yards and 51 touchdowns as a two-year starter. Under Perkins, the Rebels averaged a school-record 37.9 points per game.
“I thought Matthew played within himself and got the ball to the right people,” Ford said.
ECHS’ defense, under first-year coordinator Jordan Mullis, slowed down Richmond Hill most of the night. Last season, the Rebels surrendered almost 30 points per game.
ECHS will look to even its record next Friday when it hosts Tift County, a 41-0 winner over Luella in its season opener. Game time is 7 p.m.
