By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

GUYTON – A year ago, South Effingham running back Khyran White seemingly came out of nowhere as a freshman to push for a starting spot on the varsity football team.

Mustangs head coach Loren Purvis thought it might be best for White to play a game on junior varsity first and get acclimated to high school ball.

A worst-case scenario followed.

“I was running and spun out of a tackle but then three people crashed down on my leg,” White said. “At first, I tried to get back up and keep going, but I fell back down to the ground. Eventually, I went to the hospital.”

White had broken his fibula – the outer bone between the knee and the ankle.

Four practices into spring ball, the 6-foot, 185-pounder is back and again pressing for varsity playing time.

“Everything is running smooth. I feel fine,” White said. “I have to make up for last year with this year, so I’m coming back hard.”
These are great words for Purvis to hear because SEHS needs running back like an engine needs gasoline. The Mustangs relied on a run-oriented offense last season, carving out 226 rushing yards a game while posting a winning season for the first time since 2019.

But now rushing leader Gannon White has finished his eligibility along with running backs D’Myon McFarlin and JaKeim Leeks.

Only Kadin Ward, a rising junior, returns with significant experience.

White can help. He’s been playing football since he was 5 years old while following in the footsteps of his older brother.

“(White) is a tough runner. He does a good job of following his blocks,” Purvis said. “He’s not a kid who will dance. He’ll make a cut and go.

“He’s done a heck of a job in the weight room. He’s worked hard in the offseason and now has himself in the starting rotation. I’m excited to see how the rest of the spring works out.”

Purvis will have a chance to see the entire team’s progression on Friday night at the Corral in the Cardinal-Silver intra-squad spring game.

“I feel pretty good how our kids have come ready to work,” Purvis said. “You want to see guys hit and how they react to getting hit.”

The spring game will be the culmination of 10 practices during a 13-day span of school days when the football team can come together in the spring.

White says he has something to prove. His goals for 2024 aren’t too shabby – 10 touchdowns, 500 yards.

“I’m coming back hard this season,” he said.