GUYTON, Ga. – A Greenbrier touchdown less than six seconds before halftime capped a forgettable second quarter for the South Effingham Mustangs on Friday night.
After giving up just 27 points in three games, the Mustangs surrendered 21 to the Wolfpack in a span of 12 minutes.
“It was a surprise at first,” South Effingham linebacker Cole McMurry said. “They were running so well against us. We had a talk at halftime. We weren’t physical enough. We weren’t tackling. We had to clean it up.”
A little talk, an attitude adjustment and a lot of Khyran White running seemed to do the trick.
South’s defense pitched a second-half shutout, while White ran for three touchdowns after halftime — two coming within 13 seconds — as the Mustangs erased a 13-point deficit and rallied for a 28-21 victory in the Region 1-6A opener for both teams.
“If it’s tight, I’ll give our kids the nod. They just keep fighting,” coach Loren Purvis said after his squad won its sixth consecutive one-score game over the last two seasons.
The Mustangs improved to 4-0, matching their best start since 2019, the last time South Effingham advanced to the state playoffs.
“There’s no better feeling. In my four years, this is the best,” White said. “I can’t explain the excitement. I’m happy for my team. I love my brothers. We have to keep it up.”
White takes over
White led the offensive charge with 152 of his game-high 192 rushing yards coming in the second half.
He capped a 10-play, 89-yard drive with a 34-yard touchdown run with 2:36 remaining. Ethan Webb’s extra-point kick gave South a 22-21 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Josh Mims recovered a Greenbrier fumble at the Wolfpack 33-yard line.
On the next play, White found the end zone again.
A year ago, White ran for 270 yards in an overtime victory against Greenbrier.
“It doesn’t surprise us. We know what Khyran’s capable of,” Purvis said.
Defense closes the door
Greenbrier’s final drive reached the South Effingham 32-yard line, but the Mustangs finally corralled quarterback Parker Brantley on fourth down.
Defensive backs Hakeem Simmons and Landyn White led the pursuit, dropping Brantley for a 3-yard loss to turn the ball over on downs.
Brantley played well early, scoring on runs of 41 and 7 yards during Greenbrier’s big second quarter. He finished with 170 yards on 27 carries.
Wolfpack running back Brennen Bjorkman capped a 12-play, 70-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to open the scoring early in the second quarter.
Greenbrier then recovered an onside kick. Two plays and 50 seconds later, Brantley turned a broken play into a 41-yard touchdown run.
“Our defensive line and linebackers weren’t playing up to their standards and they know that,” Purvis said. “They’re better than what they showed tonight, but they stepped it up when it counted.”
Turnovers prove decisive
South finished with three takeaways, and each led to points.
In the second quarter, Brian Ford recorded his third interception of the season. Four plays later, quarterback Liam Coburn connected with Landyn White for a 37-yard touchdown pass.
Kiran Boggess’ two-point conversion pass to Cade Womack made it 14-8.
Simmons’ interception in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter stopped a Greenbrier drive that had reached the South Effingham 21-yard line.
The turnover sparked the Mustangs’ 89-yard go-ahead drive, which ended with Khyran White’s 34-yard touchdown run.
“4-0 feels amazing, but we’re ready to get back to work,” McMurry said.
