By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
GUYTON – South Effingham football coach Loren Purvis understands Toombs County’s Class A Division I classification doesn’t come close to describing the challenge the Bulldogs present Friday night.
“Classifications are just about enrollment, not talent,” said Purvis about a squad ranked No. 1 in its division by Score Atlanta.
Toombs (1-0) didn’t do anything to diminish its ranking after a 55-14 blowout of Dougherty last Friday. Seven minutes into the game, the Bulldogs led 35-0 against 3A’s No. 8-ranked team.
It’s the second straight high-powered offense the Mustangs will see to start the season before entering region play. SEHS didn’t slow down New Hampstead in its first game, falling to the Phoenix 56-35.
South will be coming off a bye week.
“During the (bye) week, we focused on being better at what we do,” Purvis said. “New Hampstead’s offense was one of the top offenses we’ll see, but this week won’t be any easier.”
The Mustangs (0-1) were vulnerable in the secondary and that doesn’t bode well for Friday or their region where several teams – Bradwell Institute, Brunswick and Effingham County – have proficient passing attacks.
On Friday, South must slow down senior quarterback TJ Stanley, who has already committed to Georgia State University. Stanley threw for 2,402 yards and 27 touchdowns while leading Toombs to an 11-2 record and an Elite Eight showing in the 2A state playoffs a year ago.
Stanley, a 6-foot-3, 205-pounder, had a touchdown pass and two rushing scores during the 35-0 first-quarter blitz of Dougherty in the Bulldogs’ 2024 season opener.
Safety Lagonza Hayward, a four-star talent according to 24/7 Sports, spearheads a defense that recorded five shutouts last season. Hayward is already committed to the University of Tennessee.
Slowing down Toombs will be a daunting task. Purvis found consolation in the New Hampstead loss in seeing his players never quit.
“In the first five minutes, you realized how good (New Hampstead) was,” Purvis said. “I was proud of our kids’ second-half fight. I think that second half should give us some momentum coming into this game.”
Slowing down Toombs might come down to taking time off the clock by running the football and the rushing game was a bright spot led by the bullish running of Khyran White (116 of his 123 yards in the second half) and Kadin Ward (65 yards, two TDs).
Purvis praised the defensive play of linebackers Brandon “Moose”Bringer and Brayden “Bear” Bringer.
“Bear and Moose were around the ball a lot and that’s what we need, getting all 11 defenders running to the ball,” Purvis said.
Lawton Bowen started at quarterback and threw the Mustangs’ lone TD pass. JT Barkley saw time in the second half and sparked the attack and rushed for a score.
Purvis said he would most likely use both quarterbacks against Toombs.
“We took it on the chin (against New Hampstead), but we’ve had good practices this week,” Purvis said. “I think the kids are looking forward to getting back out there.”
