SPRINGFIELD, Ga. – A 6-5 record suggests Effingham County’s 2024 football team was closer to the middle of Class 5A than the top. But a deeper look reveals the Rebels weren’t far off. Two losses came by three points, another followed an injury to the starting quarterback on the second possession, and a fourth was tied midway through the fourth quarter. Flip either of the region losses, and ECHS wouldn’t have faced a 10-2 opponent in the first round of the state playoffs. Looking through an optimistic lens, being just a little better could have made a big difference.
Perkins Returns
“We were right there. We just had a couple of mistakes during the season. We beat ourselves more than anything,” quarterback Tucker Perkins said.
Perkins is a big reason why expectations are high in Springfield this fall. He leads a dynamic offense that averaged a school-record 35 points per game last season. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior threw for 2,619 yards and 32 touchdowns while completing 67% of his passes.
The counterpoint? ECHS gave up 29 points per game — and opponents averaged 48 points in the Rebels’ five losses.
“We have to play better complementary football this year,” head coach John Ford said. “In a lot of the losses, we couldn’t get enough stops. We have to start faster offensively, and if we don’t start fast, defensively we have to bite down. … You have to win games in multiple ways and we just didn’t do that last year.”
ECHS finished third in the nine-team Region 1-5A with a 6-2 region record. There are holes to fill, but capable reinforcements are ready.
“Offensively, we have a lot of production coming back, but defensively we’re losing eight starters,” Ford said. “That’s high school football. You lose guys every year. You develop and coach and search hallways and lift weights. You don’t forget about those ninth- and 10th-graders because soon they’re going to be juniors and seniors.”
Perkins will be without three of his top four wide receivers from last season, but a talented group led by Trayvis Hunter should keep the passing game strong.
Hunter — the younger brother of Travis Hunter, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars — caught 36 passes for 396 yards and six touchdowns last year. The speedy junior could put up bigger numbers as the new go-to target. He hauled in three touchdown receptions in the spring game against Richmond Hill.
Wideouts Noah Reese, Malik Letman and Isaiah “Zeke” Brown have also impressed during 7-on-7 summer scrimmages.
Offensive Line
The offensive line will be tasked with protecting Perkins. Senior left tackle Taumafai Quarterman anchors the group, with right guard Darnell Washington and center Landyn Ringnalda providing more senior leadership. Left guard Payton Stafford (270 pounds) and right tackle Willente Owens (300 pounds) bring size and strength as new starters.
Good line play benefits the ground game, too. Junior Jmere Doe-Davis returns after rushing for 861 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior Mauricio “JR” McKenzie (376 yards, five TDs) and sophomore Jordan Mydell add depth.
“Jmere can do it all,” Ford said. “He’s good running the ball, good catching passes out of the backfield and has great vision. He has a burst and the ability to make people miss.”
Defensive Depth
Defensively, new coordinator Steve Young inherits a group with just three returning starters. Senior Landon Carter is back on the defensive line, with seniors Holden Lovett and Marshawn Monroe earning starting spots in the preseason. Seniors Evan Downs and Xavier Mason, along with juniors Ty’shawn Goldwire and Devyon Aaron, are competing for the fourth spot.
At linebacker, senior Duff Davis returns on the outside. Seniors Noah King and John Baker man the middle, while Jackson Eubanks, Tripp Browher and Jatiyus Scott are battling to start opposite Davis.
In the secondary, cornerback Kris Swinney returns after a season-ending injury in Week 2 last year. Track standout Jaden Praylo will start at the other corner, with Asante Sheppard providing depth.
Junior Jernard Albright and senior Daimir Hicks form a strong tandem at safety. Albright (6-2, 207) already has offers from eight Division I schools, including Michigan, Arkansas and Georgia Tech, according to recruiting site 247Sports.
“Jernard is big and strong. He gets to the ball quickly and has power when he gets there,” Ford said.
Jackson Wilhoite, CJ Chaffin, Adam Thompson and Ben Thomas are competing for kicking jobs. Swinney, Doe-Davis and Hunter are dangerous returners. Swinney was also elevated to back up Perkins at quarterback after Kyzer DeLoach left the team in the preseason. Swinney quarterbacked Ebenezer Middle School to a championship as an eighth grader.
The Rebels haven’t won a state playoff game since Ford took over in 2021. But there’s optimism.
“Winning in November is hard, we have to get over that hump,” Ford said. “I feel good about how the coaches are putting the pieces together.”
