GUYTON, Ga. – There’s nothing fancy about Greenbrier football. South Effingham coach Loren Purvis has a pretty good idea of what the Wolfpack will do.
“Greenbrier is going to be more physical than Lakeside and Evans. It seems they’re a lot like last year. They put it on the ground and try to beat you,” Purvis said about the Mustangs’ homecoming opponent Friday night.
Past results don’t guarantee success
Knowing what’s coming and stopping it are sometimes two different things. Last year, the Wolfpack rushed 42 of their 44 plays and beat SEHS 56-0 in the Mustangs’ worst margin of defeat in school history.
But that was last year. Greenbrier comes into the Corral with a 1-4 record and has lost three straight region games, surrendering 42 points to both Statesboro and Brunswick and falling 51-28 last Friday to Bradwell Institute.
Meanwhile, South, after going winless in 2024, is giddy with a 2-3 record this season. Its 2-1 region mark is tied for third in the nine-team standings.
The Mustangs topped Evans 14-10 last Friday and Lakeside 20-14 in overtime two weeks earlier. SEHS can pull a slot-machine-like, three-of-a-kind sweep of Augusta-area schools by beating Greenbrier.
“After what we did last year (staying in contention for a playoff berth) is a heck of a turnaround,” Purvis said. “Sitting at the top side of the region is a lot better than 0-5 at this time last year.”
Key players to watch
Despite its record, Greenbrier remains a big obstacle in SEHS’ quest for a third win. Junior quarterback Parker Brantley leads the team with 319 total yards. Senior running back Beau Polcha has a team-best 155 rushing yards, and junior Brennen Bjorkman is the favored target when the Wolfpack throw the ball.
Greenbrier’s top returning player, Cole Trupp, a first-team all-region linebacker/running back, has seen limited action in just two games because of an injury. Trupp ran for 146 yards and four touchdowns against South last season.
Purvis has worries about his own running back. Junior Khyran White, who had 161 yards and two scores in a win against Lakeside, left in the first quarter against Evans because of a bruised knee.
Young Mustangs finding their groove
The Mustangs are finding complementary pieces to aid a young offense. Freshman quarterback Liam Coburn completed five passes for 172 yards and a touchdown and had a short touchdown run to account for the scoring.
South’s sophomore cornerback Semaj Calhoun came up with a game-saving interception to stop an Evans drive in the final minute.
And if beating Greenbrier means slowing down the run, South can be encouraged after limiting Effingham County’s solid rushing attack to minus-10 yards on 11 attempts in the first half two weeks ago.
“We have a little momentum. Right now, we’re trying to get the kids to believe they can be good,” Purvis said.
