Nearby lightning zaps Rebels' spring contest

Rebels receiver Ashley Thompson (1) pulls away from a pair of Royals defenders en route to a 53-yard touchdown Friday night. The contest was canceled a few minutes later because of lightning in the area. - photo by Mark Lastinger/staff

Rebels receiver Ashley Thompson (1) pulls away from a pair of Royals defenders en route to a 53-yard touchdown Friday night. The contest was canceled a few minutes later because of lightning in the area. - photo by Mark Lastinger/staff

Effingham Herald

Updated: May 23, 2022, 9:18 AM

Published: May 23, 2022, 9:19 AM

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SPRINGFIELD — Effingham County football coach John Ford expects a short film session when breaking down Friday’s spring game tape.

The Rebels and opponent Bleckley County combined to run seven offensive plays before lightning in the area canceled the teams’ spring game at Rebel Field.

ECHS scored on the first play of its second possession when quarterback Nate Hayes completed a short pass to Ashley Thompson who cut across the grain of the secondary for a 53-yard touchdown.

Jonah Strickland kicked the extra point just before flashes of lightning in the distance caused a halt in the action.

Ford said lightning equipment detected a band within eight miles of ECHS. Then the lightning seemed to hover there.

In accordance with Georgia High School Association rules, games and practices must stop and athletes and fans ushered to safety if lightning is spotted within 10 miles.

A 30-minute waiting period follows any flash within the 10-mile radius.

“When you factor in the delays and the 2 ½-hour bus ride for Bleckley County to get back home, it was the right thing to do,” Ford said.

The game was the 10th and final workout for the Rebels of the spring. Ford said he liked what his team accomplished during the first nine practices.

“We didn’t sustain any injuries and we developed competition in several key areas,” said Ford who pointed to linebacker, offensive line and defensive line as areas where players are vying for starting jobs.

At quarterback, Hayes will be looking to replace graduating senior Matthew Ford, who skillfully engineered coach Ford’s short passing scheme.

And, although there were only seven plays in the spring game, ECHS’ explosive touchdown play could be a sampling of things to come from a talented wide receiver stable that includes Timmy Brown and Keion Wallace.

“We had nine practices and a nice warmup session (if you’re counting the spring game),” Ford said. “I’m excited to see how it goes over the summer.”

After a week off for finals and then another week off for a GHSA mandatory dead week (the week of Memorial Day), Ford said the Rebels will be back at practice on June 6.

The veterans will work out in the morning four times a week. Freshmen will practice in the evening.

ECHS will attend 7-on-7 tournaments at Georgia Tech, the University of South Carolina, in Pooler (hosted by New Hampstead) and Bluffton.

At the end of July, the Rebels will go to a padded camp at Bleckley County.

ECHS, 6-4 a year ago, will open its 2022 season at Richmond Hill on Aug. 19.

Latest

Mustangs Show Grit, Look Ahead After Tough Opener

Freshman QB Liam Coburn powers through the defense for tough yardage. His play helped spark the Mustangs. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

South vs. New Hampstead — 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 17, 2025, 10:27 AM

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,” South 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 vs. New Hampstead — 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.

Special Teams, Offense Struggle

But South's 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.”

Heart-Stopping Moment

After the touchdown drive, South’s defense stopped New Hampstead at South's 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.

Looking Ahead

South now has a bye week next Friday before traveling to Toombs County on Aug. 29.