GUYTON, Ga. — South Effingham has played two games against quarterbacks who used their feet to threaten defenses.
The Mustangs will see another dimension in quarterback play Friday night.
South (2-0) will look to slow down Windsor Forest dual-threat quarterback Jayden Martin as it tries to extend its winning streak to three games for the first time since 2023.
The first meeting between the two schools is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Savannah High School Stadium, 400 Pennsylvania Ave., Savannah
“There’s a lot of excitement, being new, and Coach (Willie) Martin has them playing much harder. You can see that on the film,” South Effingham coach Loren Purvis said.
Martin provides a new spark
The film also shows that Jayden Martin, Coach Martin’s son, has been a catalyst for the Knights.
Martin, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior with sprinter speed, threw a touchdown and ran for two scores, including a 2-yard touchdown in overtime, in Windsor Forest’s 20-14 season-opening victory over Beach.
Last season, Windsor Forest lost to Beach 49-18.
Last Friday, the Savannah school defeated Tattnall County 31-21.
“(Jayden Martin) is mobile, but he can throw it,” Purvis said.
Father and son joined the Knights this season. Willie Martin was the offensive coordinator at Crestwood High, a Class 4A school in Sumter, South Carolina.
Jayden Martin played wide receiver and defensive back at Crestwood. He led the Knights with 36 catches for 393 yards and six touchdowns and also had four interceptions. His former team advanced to the playoffs.
But his new team, which hasn’t had a winning season in four years, needed a playmaking quarterback to help start a new era.
Through two games, Martin has thrown for 394 yards and four touchdowns and has rushed for 227 yards and four touchdowns.
Knights have plenty of help
Martin isn’t the only Windsor Forest player South’s defense will have to account for.
Jaimeer Duncan is averaging 82.5 yards per game on the ground. Kamari Duncan has caught nine passes for 128 yards and a touchdown, while Dwane Franklin has six receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Linebackers Antonio Wolfolk and Malachi Daniels lead the Knights’ defense with 25 and 23 tackles, respectively.
South’s defense has handled challenging quarterbacks well this season.
Screven County’s DeMarko Ward, a 1,000-yard rusher in 2025, managed just 61 total yards in the season opener.
Quarterback Shamari King and Johnson’s offense were shut out the following week.
“Hats off to the defense,” Purvis said. “We’re flying around and playing hard. That’s what we beg of these kids every week. We’re preaching you have to win on discipline, you have to win on the energy you play with.”
