By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
SPRINGFIELD – South Effingham boys unleashed their multiple soccer weapons against neighbor Effingham County on Feb. 27.
Attacking midfielder Edson Escobar scored twice and assisted on two other goals. Desmond Price had two goals and Tyler Quick, Jude Rowe and J.P. Alonso tallied one apiece in a 7-1 victory, keeping the Mustangs unbeaten against the Rebels since 2017.
South raised its record to 7-0, 4-0 in Region 2-6A play – the team’s best start to a season ever, according to MaxPreps.
“I think we came out fast and that was good,” SEHS coach DaKota Paradice said. “There was about a five- or 10-minute spell when we were arguing with each other and that distracted us from playing, but I thought we were able to regroup and play way better in the second half.”
Escobar, a senior with ballhandling skills rarely seen at the high school level, can be a one-man momentum changer and his pinpoint 40-yard lofted pass to Prince led to a breakaway goal to give the Mustangs a 3-1 with 3:09 left in the first half.
Escobar had South’s second and fourth goals, creating room to shoot with spin moves in small spaces.
“(Escobar) can make a play or two when he just creates for himself and his chemistry is getting better with Desmond and J.P.,” Paradice said. “Hopefully, we can figure it all out by the time playoffs come around and be dangerous.”
The Mustangs are pretty dangerous right now. They’ve beaten opponents by three or more goals in six of their seven matches this season.
And SEHS has owned its northside rivals, registering an 8-0-2 mark against the Rebels since March 3, 2017.
Paradice didn’t take anything for granted against ECHS (0-7-1) and a new wrinkle in his formation led to a quick goal two minutes into the match from defensiveman Tyler Quick.
Escobar scored at 33:32 and the Mustangs appeared as if they’d pull away.

About two minutes later, Edson Escobar and Prince teamed to regain the two-goal advantage and the Mustangs added four second-half goals.
South topped ECHS 13-5 in shots on goal and held an 11-2 edge in corner kicks.
Rebel goalie Michael Deien stopped six shots. SEHS’ Ryan Ellwood made four saves.