By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Kieffer wins twice at Rebel Invitational
Candace Kieffer
- photo by Photo submitted
Staff report
Effingham Herald
Published: Apr 5, 2022, 10:11 AM
Effingham County’s Candace Kieffer captured first-place finishes in the 1600 and 3200 at the inaugural Rebel Invitational on Saturday.
Kieffer, who signed to run at the University of Miami, ran a 5:32.59 in the 1600 and an 11:48.99 in the 3200 to top the girls’ seven-team field.
For the South Effingham boys, senior Chase Garrett tied his school record with a 10-0 in the pole vault.
ECHS girls with top-three performances were: Roneisha Goss (200, 26.41, 1st; high jump, 5-2, 3rd), Enna Lackey (100 hurdles, 16.49, 1st; 300 hurdles, 50.21, 2nd), Abby McDonald (shot, 36-11, 2nd; 100, 13.19, 3rd) and Kalyce Watson (triple jump, 32-5, 2nd; long jump, 15-9, 3rd) and the 4 X 200 relay was first with a time of 1:48.73.
For the Rebels in the eight-team boys field, Levi Thomas had first-place finishes in the 800 (2:11.07) and 1600 (4:56.44).
SEHS girls with top-three performances were: Caroline Motes (400, 1:04.47, 3rd) and the 4 X 400 relay (4:29.15, 1st) and the 4 X 800 relay (11:04.81, 1st).
For the Mustang boys, Cameron Edwards, the defending Class AAAAAA triple jump champion, won three times – in the high jump (6-0), the long jump (20-7) and the triple (42-7).
Other top SEHS performers were Cailan Howard (3200, 9:51.87, 1st), Shane Alvin (discus, 94-5, 2nd; shot, 37-5.25, 2nd), Riley Bilensky (shot, 37-3, 3rd), Amari Branch (400, 51.42, 3rd), and Julian Howard (1600, 5:01.32, 3rd). The 4 X 800 relay team placed first (8:43.74).
Freshman QB Liam Coburn powers through the defense for tough yardage. His play helped spark the Mustangs. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)
Donald Heath
Updated: Aug 16, 2025, 5:22 PM
Published: Aug 16, 2025, 4:39 PM
GUYTON, Ga.– South Effingham freshman quarterback Liam Coburn decided to do something about his team’s struggling offense Friday night.
Facing third-and-long early in the fourth quarter, Coburn, not known for scrambling, took off out of the pocket and hit a defensive back so hard the defender’s helmet flew off.
The Mustangs bench erupted, and the hit provided some much-needed energy.
“I think our team is in a much better spot,” SEHS coach Loren Purvis said. “They care. They understand what it takes.”
The Mustangs couldn’t overcome a sluggish start and lost their season opener to New Hampstead 14-6. But the display of passion — often missing during the winless 2024 season — was readily apparent.
“We have nine more games left, and I think we’re going to build off this,” Coburn said. “This is a different team than in the past.”
A pregame downpour and flashes of lightning in the area delayed kickoff for about an hour and a half. The game ended at 11:52 p.m.
South Effingham’s Alex Cabrera chases down a New Hampstead ball carrier. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)
Defense Keeps Game Close
Once the game started, South’s defense kept things close with four stops inside the red zone. The offense eventually scored on Maddox Vasquez’s 2-yard touchdown run with 5:58 left.
But the Mustangs couldn’t stop Phoenix running back Christian Kinlaw, who scored on runs of 31 and 20 yards and caught a two-point conversion from quarterback Erik Hockman to build a 14-0 lead through three quarters.
Kinlaw did most of his damage during the final three quarters, running for 160 yards on 18 carries. A year ago, New Hampstead rang up 56 points against South Effingham.
“I was very proud of the defense,” Mustangs middle linebacker Corey Woods said. “I think we took a major step as a defense. We had more energy. I love that. We all did our one eleven.”
Woods explained the team phrase “doing your one eleven” means there are 11 defenders on the field. You do your one job and trust your other 10 teammates to do theirs.
South’s defense walks off the field after stopping New Hampstead’s two-point conversion attempt. The unit also recorded four red-zone stops to keep the Mustangs competitive in their season opener. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)
Special Teams, Offense Struggle
But SEHS special teams and offense couldn’t find traction. Special teams missed a short field goal and an extra-point kick after a touchdown, had a snap hit an upback during a punt formation, and surrendered an onside kick during a kickoff.
The offense had just two first downs until the final drive of the third quarter. Coburn’s 10-yard scramble and big hit—and a subsequent helmet-to-helmet 15-yard penalty assessed to the New Hampstead defense—highlighted South’s 11-play, 54-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter.
“I rolled out and saw a dude and I thought, ‘I’m going to get my lick on him.’ It got the energy going,” Coburn said. “We got a little momentum going, and we were gaining confidence as the game went on.”
South Effingham’s Landyn White attempts to bring down New Hampstead running back Christian Kinlaw, who finished with two touchdowns and a two-point conversion. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)
Heart-Stopping Moment
After the touchdown drive, South’s defense stopped New Hampstead at the SEHS 19. On the Mustangs’ next offensive play, Woods just missed making a big play when he couldn’t haul in Coburn’s pass after gaining a step on the defender on a fly pattern.
“I’m going to move on from it,” Woods said. “I’m going to catch more balls in practice, and the next time I get that opportunity, I’ll be good.”
South had a last possession deep in its own territory in the final minute. Mustangs wide receiver Landyn White caught a short pass, took a hit on the sidelines, and laid motionless before responding to medical personnel, Purvis said. White was taken off the field on a stretcher and into an ambulance.
It was a sobbing moment that shook up players and coaches. Purvis tried his best to put the game in perspective in the silent locker room.
“The kids came out and competed. You can build on that,” he said.
A fired-up Christian Magwood is greeted by his South Effingham teammates on the sideline. (Birk Herrath / Effingham Herald)
Looking Ahead
South now has a bye week next Friday before traveling to Toombs County on Aug. 29.