BRUNSWICK — South Effingham’s stellar rushing game couldn’t keep pace with Brunswick’s aerial prowess at Glynn County Stadium Friday night.
The Mustangs racked up 290 total rushing yards, including 161 in the first half, but lost because three Pirates quarterbacks combined to throw for 362 yards on just 13 attempts. They completed 11, including touchdown tosses of 53, 39, 79, 25 and 62 yards in a 56-21 Region 2-AAAAAA victory.
Brunswick’s first score came on its third snap when Sutton Ellis connected with running Chuckobe Hill on a short pass. Hill faced little resistance as he raced into the end zone after the grab.
The Pirates (6-0, 2-0) were a bit more methodical en route to their second touchdown. They marched 78 yards in nine plays. The capper was a two-yard run by Ree Simmons.
The key play of the drive was Sutton’s 21-yard strike to tight end Antreyvis Elvine on third down at the Mustangs’ 23.
After a couple of unsuccessful drives, South Effingham (1-4, 0-2) started relying heavily on running back Cameron Edwards. He got the call on five of the first six plays during the Mustangs’ third possession but it ended at their 38 after gaining 19 yards.
South Effingham handed the ball to Joell Laldee on fourth down but he was stuffed short of the line of scrimmage, setting up a short field for the Pirates near the end of the first quarter.
Brunswick then put together another three-play scoring drive. The last one was a run-yard run by Hill on the second snap of the second period.
The Mustangs, who inserted Aubrey Heath at quarterback in the second quarter, continued to lean on Edwards on their fourth possession. He lugged the ball five times during an eight-play, 78-yard touchdown drive the ended with a 49-yard by Laldee with 6:21 left before halftime.
Later in the quarter, Jeffery Waye become the second Brunswick quarterback to tally a touchdown pass. He connected with TJ Smith for a 39-yard score on an 80-yard drive that featured a diving 27-yard catch of an overthrown ball near midfield.
The Mustangs continued to punch holes in the defense on their final possession of the opening half but were unable to capitalize. They advanced 54 yards on 13 plays before attempting an unsuccessful 45-yard field goal that left the score 28-7.
Brunswick displayed its ability to strike quickly again at the start the third quarter. On the third play after receiving the opening kickoff, Wayne hooked up with a wide-open TJ Mitchell for a 79-yard score.
South Effingham answered with its second TD drive. Edwards got the call six times during an eight-play, 87 yard march. He capped the surge with a one-yard run.
Brunswick responded with successive third-quarter scoring drives. The touchdowns came on a 25-yard pass from Waye to Mitchell and a 68-yard run by Hill.
The Mustangs’ final touchdown was set up by a fumble on a punt return. The Mustangs took over at the Brunswick 8. Two plays later, Edwards, who gained 189 yards on 32 rushes, tallied the score with another one-yard run.
Matthews ended the scoring with a 62-yard catch midway through the fourth quarter.
South Effingham is set to return to Glynn County Stadium on Friday to face Glynn Academy (2-3-1, 1-1).
