GUYTON, Ga. – Just the talk about playoffs has South Effingham football a little giddy these days. After three wins in the last four games, the Mustangs are positioned to at least join the conversation.

“We have four games left [in the regular season], and all four are going to be tough, but we have guys willing to fight for it,” SEHS coach Loren Purvis said.

The bell for Round 1 sounds Friday night with a key matchup against Glynn Academy at Glynn County Stadium in Brunswick. Can the Mustangs, winless a year ago, punch into the next weight class?

Glynn brings experience

The Red Terrors (4-3, 3-2 Region 1-5A) have won three of their last four games and seem to have righted their season after a surprising shutout loss to Richmond Hill followed by an overtime setback to Bradwell Institute.

“All you have to know is they almost beat Brunswick,” Purvis said about the Terrors’ herculean effort, a last-minute 41-37 loss against the region’s defending champion.

Glynn, currently a half-game behind South Effingham, Effingham County and Statesboro for second place in the region standings, returns playmaking running back Da’sean Howard and wide receiver Sean Wallace — both first-team, all-region performers a year ago. Add DJ Creighton to the mix after running for 134 yards and two touchdowns in Glynn’s 40-17 win two weeks ago.

Linebackers Cooper Reiss (first-team all-region last year), Smith Whitehead and Anson Gallon anchor a hard-hitting, blue-collar defense. And Glynn has steady leadership from respected head coach Rocky Hidalgo, who has been at the helm since 2014. Under Hidalgo, the Terrors have reached the state playoffs every year.

The last two seasons, Glynn defeated South 31-0 and 35-0. The Mustangs haven’t beaten the Terrors since 1997.

“Glynn seems to have our number, and our kids have to get over that,” Purvis said. “Last year, they beat us with the power read, and I’m sure they’ll try to run similar stuff again. But I’d like to think we’re a better team.”

Mustangs building confidence

South might unveil its own power attack on the Terrors. Running back Khyran White gashed Greenbrier for 236 yards on 25 carries a week ago.

The Mustangs have overtime wins against Lakeside and Greenbrier, and a last-minute stop preserved a victory against Evans. Those three teams have a combined 2-17 record — not exactly Murderers’ Row. But a year ago, South didn’t come within 35 points of beating any of them. The Mustangs lost the 2024 season finale to Greenbrier 56-0.

The new wins are satisfying. The team seems to be improving every day. South shocked the Wolfpack with 222 yards and three touchdowns while building a lead in the first quarter. Freshman quarterback Liam Coburn’s 4-yard TD run won it in overtime.

“Those are my brothers, and we dug very deep,” White said after the win over Greenbrier. “A shout-out to the offensive line. We put in the work, and it paid off.”

The payout has been playoff talk. After Glynn comes Bradwell Institute, Statesboro and Brunswick — all playoff contenders. Purvis and the Mustangs are staying humble. Suddenly, they’re in the conversation.

“To be 3-1 in the region feels better than last year,” Purvis said. “It’s giving us a chance to look at a path we’re excited to take.”