By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
South Effingham’s Late-Game Streak Ends in 16-15 Loss to Grovetown
South Effingham football
South Effingham coach Loren Purvis will look for his Mustangs to bounce back next Friday after their late-game magic ran out in a 16-15 loss to Grovetown. (Craig LeTourneau / Effingham Herald)

GROVETOWN, Ga. — South Effingham’s streak of late-game heroics came to an end Friday night against host Grovetown.

The Mustangs made mistakes down the stretch and saw a nine-point fourth-quarter lead disappear in a 16-15 loss to the Warriors.

South (4-1, 1-1 Region 1-6A) entered the game with six straight wins in one-possession games.

“My message to our team was you can’t keep waiting around and expect to handle things at the end,” Mustangs coach Loren Purvis said. “We let one get away.”

Lead slips away

A 21-yard field goal by Grovetown’s Jared Mendoza with 2:36 remaining proved to be the difference.

South trailed 6-0 early in the game but took the lead on Khyran White’s short touchdown run, capping an 80-yard drive. Ethan Webb added the extra point.

The Mustangs extended their advantage to 15-6 when quarterback Liam Coburn found Landyn White in the back of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown. South added a successful two-point conversion pass.

Fourth-quarter finish

Grovetown engineered a long touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, then stopped the Mustangs in three plays before driving again for Mendoza’s field goal.

On its final possession, South marched to the Warriors’ 23-yard line but had a key drop on fourth down that would have kept the drive alive.

“It was a great drive by Liam, but we had a penalty that called back a big play and then the dropped pass,” Purvis said. “As a coach, that’s frustrating. Too many mistakes, we have to handle that better.”

A familiar script

Just a week earlier, South rallied in the fourth quarter to overcome a 13-point deficit and defeat Greenbrier 28-21. The Mustangs also trailed Screven County by 14 points before rallying in the fourth quarter to win 17-14 in the season opener.

South’s four wins in 2026 have all been decided by six points or fewer.

Grovetown (1-4, 1-1 Region 1-6A) entered Friday with three losses by seven points or less. The Warriors also stayed within reach of two-time defending region champion Brunswick for a half.

This time, Grovetown made the plays it needed late.

Purvis is looking for his squad to respond to its first defeat next Friday against winless Lakeside.

“We were hoping to go 6-0 going into the Effingham County game (on Oct. 16),” Purvis said. “I think our kids expected it, but you have to cut down on mistakes.”