GUYTON — The first South Effingham Youth Football Camp under the direction of Nathan Clark era was a huge success.
Nearly 60 campers piled onto the practice field to sharpen their skills with the new Mustangs head coach and his staff. In a sport where the numbers are generally declining, Clark was thankful to have great participation as well as the opportunity to motivate the participants to stay active in the game.
"Our coaches do a good job of emphasizing the word ‘fun,’" Clark said. "We try to do fun things like taking pictures and placing them on Twitter. (On June 18), we had popsicles. (On June 19), we fed them watermelon. We are going to give them a T-shirt at the end of the camp. We have the music playing out there while they play games. They are around the older kids. (On June 18), we blended our workout in with the camp. All 90 players have helped. They got to act as role models (and) they had a lot of fun.
“It was good to give back to the community."
The key to football success is understanding that satisfaction from the sport isn’t immediate. Clark reminded the campers that it will take a yearly effort if they want to produce at a high level. And, as he encouraged the next generation of Mustangs, he pointed out the impact the game of football has when people work together as a unit.
I want them to continue to play," Clark said. "I think it's important that they are involved in some type of activity. To me, football is the best team-building activity. It does so many good things. It teaches you delayed gratification. You have to work almost 365 days to play 10 games.
“Football teaches you that have to work day in and day out until you are able to play the game."
Travis Hunter Makes NFL Debut as Brother Trayvis Shines for Rebels
Trayvis Hunter, a junior at Effingham County, has already caught five passes and scored a touchdown this season, showing he’s fast, shifty, and carving out his own spotlight while his brother Travis gets ready for his NFL debut Sunday with the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Donald Heath / Effingham Herald)
Donald Heath
Updated: Sep 6, 2025, 3:44 PM
Published: Sep 6, 2025, 3:14 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Ga. – Trayvis Hunter says New York City was a nice place to visit, but he wouldn’t want to live there.
“Too compact. I need a little space,” said Hunter, Effingham County’s speedy 5-foot-8, 145-pound receiving threat who makes highlight plays in the open field.
“I should be going to his first game,” Trayvis said. “I know he’s going to try to get to some of my games, too.”
Travis Hunter (left) showed up at an Effingham County practice last year to watch younger brother Trayvis. Travis bought a house, and the family moved into the Effingham school district almost two years ago from outside Atlanta, where Travis starred at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee. (Donald Heath / Effingham Herald)
Making his name
Sometimes Trayvis needs space from the swirl of questions about his older brother.
“People ask what it’s like to be Travis’ brother? I answer, we live together, it’s normal,” he said.
They both wear No. 12, with names separated by a “Y,” but they seem to be polar opposites. Trayvis, five years younger, is reserved; Travis is flamboyant.
“Trayvis is quiet, but he’s cool. He stays humble. He’s our brother, our teammate, that’s it,” Rebels teammate Isaiah “Zeke” Brown said.
Trayvis is making a name as the Rebels’ go-to wide receiver. He caught 36 passes for 496 yards and six touchdowns (all six in the final five games of the regular season) last year and opened 2025 with three TD catches against Richmond Hill in the spring game.
“He’s hard to stay with. He’s fast, shifty,” said Jmere Doe-Davis, a running back who sees time at defensive back and occasionally covers Trayvis in practice.
A junior, Trayvis leads ECHS with five catches for 61 yards and a score after the first two games this season. His 23-yard reception started the Rebels’ fourth-quarter, game-winning drive against New Hampstead.
“He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands. We try to get him the ball, for sure,” ECHS coach John Ford said.
Trayvis Hunter, a junior at Effingham County, leads the Rebels with five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown through the first two games of the 2025 season. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)
Travis’ shadow, Trayvis’ path
Trayvis and his family moved into the Effingham school district almost two years ago from outside Atlanta. Travis starred at Collins Hill High School and eventually joined coach Deion Sanders at Jackson State University.
Travis followed Sanders to the University of Colorado, where his unique skills as a two-way player — wide receiver and cornerback — drew national acclaim.
And Travis, who was making $2.4 million in name, image and likeness money in college, according to Bleacher Report, bought his family a house.
Outside of carrying books in a backpack with the words “Colorado Buffaloes,” Trayvis remains casual about the family fame.
He has offers from Georgia Southern and Appalachian State, along with interest from smaller schools.
“He carries himself as Trayvis. He’s a great young man, works hard. He’s competitive. I love him,” Ford said.
“I try my best to be myself,” Trayvis said.
The difference between the two brothers?
“I’m faster,” Trayvis said.
Would Travis admit that?
“Yeah,” Trayvis answered, smiling as he munched on pizza after practice.
Brotherly bond
Travis attended a Rebels practice last season during Colorado’s off week, and players lined up for photos.
“It was cool,” Brown said.
Trayvis was in New York City for his brother’s big night, when Travis brought home college football’s biggest honor — the Heisman Trophy. That was cool, too.
For now, the Hunter brothers are chasing big dreams on different fields — one under the Friday night lights in Springfield, the other on Sunday afternoons in the NFL.
