GUYTON, Ga. – Enthusiasm will be riding high for South Effingham football when spring workouts get underway Thursday.
SEHS’ spring game is slated for May 13 at Wayne County, culminating 10 practices in 13 school days in accordance with GHSA regulations.
The Mustangs improved from a winless 2024 season to four victories in 2025, tying the biggest single-season increase in wins at the school in its 30-year history.
SEHS finished with a .500 or above region record (4-4) for the first time since 2015.
With a young group gaining a taste of winning last season, how high can the Mustangs jump?
Here are five storylines surrounding South Effingham football this spring.
Will QB Coburn take the next step forward?
Last season, Liam Coburn earned the starting quarterback job as a freshman, the first time Coach Loren Purvis had a freshman starting as the signal caller.
Coburn performed well at times and other times, well, looked like a freshman. He completed 41 percent of his passes for 546 yards and six touchdowns.
Purvis said Coburn made great strides from Day One. Now Purvis hopes to see Coburn progress by making the right reads against opposing defenses and adding touch to his throws.
Purvis said backup Kiran Boggess, a senior, proved his value while leading the offense to three touchdowns in the second half against region champion Brunswick in Game 10 when Coburn was hurt.
“I think after a year of experience, both of them have a much better handle on the offense,” Purvis said.
New group takes over at receiver
South’s three leading receivers – Corey Woods, Jayden Hair and Hayden Still – all graduate in a few weeks and 6-5 target Benja Crofts will be moving out of the area with his family.
Who’s going to catch the ball?
Purvis is optimistic about a group that will be asked to go from supporting cast to prominent roles.
Rising juniors Jackson McClure and Cade Womack and Brian Ford, a transfer who was ineligible last season, are the heirs. Purvis says wingbacks Maddox Vasquez and Danny Murtha will be used more in the passing attack as well.
Who will replace Woods’ production, leadership?
Woods led the team in tackles (102), tackles for losses (7) and sacks (4) and did double duty at tight end (5 catches, 2 TDs). But stats only tell a part of his story.
“His production speaks for itself. The hardest part is replacing his leadership,” Purvis said. “Corey worked himself into that type of player. His work in the weight room, in film study. He was special.”
Purvis said running back Khyran White, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, and Murtha have been vocal leaders during the offseason.
Defensive line needs to replace three
Veterans Damien Washington, Alex Cabrera and Kadin Ward finished their eligibility, leaving some question marks around the defensive line.
Ward, a running back who was converted to nose guard, showed the Mustangs can be creative when looking to rebuild.
Karter Wilson and Gage Roberson may be summoned.
Are Mustangs primed to make a run state?
South hasn’t made an appearance in the state tournament since 2019. An improved defense – surrendering almost 17 points a game fewer in 2025 than 2024 – and a ball-control offense led by workhorse running back Khyran White helped the Mustangs beat the weaker teams in the region.
That was Step 1.
“You always want to win the games you’re supposed to win and I think we did a good job with that last year,” Purvis said. “The next step is winning the games you’re not necessarily supposed to win but maybe you could win.”
Mustangs 2026 Schedule
8/21: Screven County
8/28: Johnson, Savannah
9/4: at Windsor Forest
9/18: Greenbrier
9/25: at Grovetown
10/2: Lakeside, Evans
10/16: at Effingham County
10/23: at Brunswick (Glynn County Stadium)
10/30: Glynn Academy
11/6: at Bradwell Institute
