By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SAVANNAH – Former Effingham County High School football standout Randy Scott says he likes the Effingham chemistry on Savannah State’s football team.

Scott and his high school teammate Khiry Wallace, both receivers, made an impact this spring and should play integral roles in the Tigers’ passing game this fall.

SSU’s spring football practice ended last Friday night with the Blue and Orange Spring Game, culminating 15 workouts within 34 days in accordance with NCAA rules.

Wallace led all Tigers with three catches. Scott, who lines up wide and in the slot, caught a pass, ran the ball once and contributed on special teams returning kickoffs.

“Both of those guys are doing what we ask of them,” SSU coach Aaron Kelton said. “They’re working hard and will be a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish.”

The Tigers are coming off a 2-8 season in 2023 and the team needs playmakers after finishing 12th in scoring, 12th in total offense and 10th in passing yards among the 13 teams in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

In the spring game, the offense generated just one touchdown and a field goal in 69 plays during an “offense vs. defense” competition.

“We have a lot of new guys and I felt the jitters were going around, but as the game went on everybody got comfortable with the system we have,” said Scott, now in his fourth year at SSU.

Last season, Scott, a 5-foot-10, 170 pounder who can be dynamic in the open field, was third on the team with 16 receptions for 152 yards. Only Da’Shun Mitchell returned with more catches and receiving yards for the Tigers.

Scott’s only catch in the spring game was a 7-yarder that picked up a first down on the second possession. He had a 7-yard run while taking a pitch on an option play during SSU’s lone touchdown drive.

“I worked on some of the tangibles, the small things , and tightened up my game this spring,” Scott said. “I’m just trying to get one percent better every day.”

Wallace (6-1, 195) will be going into his third year at Savannah State. He redshirted his first year, worked hard in the weight room, and put on about 20 pounds of muscle.

Last season, he saw limited time and made two catches for 19 yards.

“I feel good. I’ve been working hard over the summer with my teammates, especially Randy, because he lives close,” Wallace said. “I feel comfortable.”

Wallace could add his younger brother Keion Wallace into the Springfield workout group. Keion is a wide receiver at Georgia Southern.

During the spring game, Khiry finished with catches of 3, 5 and 8 yards. With the game on the line, SSU called a fade pass to Wallace from the 5-yard line. Wallace got a hand on the overthrown pass but couldn’t haul it in.

“I think they have a little more confidence in me. They’re throwing me more balls,” said Wallace, who will be hoping to see an increase in playing time.

Kelton said he’ll always have his eye on Effingham County players. Last summer, the Rebels competed in a multi-team 7-on-7 workout conducted by Savannah State and made offers to two ECHS players.

Two seasons ago, South Effingham’s Makenly Newbill starred as a defensive end for the Tigers.

“We’re always recruiting Effingham,” Kelton said. “They have good players.”