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SEHS football looking to put 2024 in the past
Kadin Ward
Kadien Ward breaks through the defense early in the drills (Photos by Gilbert Miller/Effingham Herald.).

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald


GUYTON – South Effingham football players would like to skip over the next paragraph of this article.

The Mustangs finished with an 0-10 record in 2024 and were outscored 459-95.

“I think our kids are tired of hearing about last year,” said Coach Loren Purvis, who begins his third year at SEHS. “We’ve heard enough and we’re tired of talking about it. It’s time to do something about it.”

Day 1 of spring football was a good day to start.

In accordance with Georgia High School Association rules, the Mustangs suited up on May 1 for the first of their 10 spring practices.

They’ll conclude workouts on May 16 by hosting a scrimmage against Long County.

The season starts for real on Aug. 15 against New Hampstead.

Purvis said he had about 85 players at the first spring practice. He expects the number to eventually reach 115.

Enthusiasm wasn’t lacking. About 90 minutes into practice the players were already competing in Oklahoma drills – one on one hitting competitions that assesses toughness and technique.

George Bushatz
Mustangs quarterback George Bushatz throws a pass during skeleton offense drills
“The kids were begging to do it,” Purvis said.

There will be a lot of battles ahead, including a spotlight on the quarterback position. The two signal callers who saw most of the snaps last year are gone. Either rising sophomores George Bushatz and Jackson McClure or freshman Liam Coburn could be the heir apparent.

“I like all three of them,” Purvis said. “They’ve worked really hard. They’re young and realizing, ‘I’m making it on the field as the quarterback and that’s pretty cool.’ I like how they’re working despite their inexperience.”

Wide receivers Landyn White and Benji Crofts did a good job catching everything in sight and Hayden Still, off the track team, will add some much-needed speed.

Senior Corey Woods will be counted on at HBack/tight end and middle linebacker. Woods, who earned second-team all-region honors a year ago, led the team with 68 tackles.

Running backs Kadin Ward (465 rushing yards, 4 TDs) and Khyran White (413 yards, 1 TD) return after strong seasons.

“I hope some of the work shows this year considering how hard they’ve been preparing,” Purvis said. “(Against Long County in the spring game), I want to see us compete and match the physical intensity. Last year wasn’t any fun. Today was a good day to flush that and get back on the field.

“That’s what I told them – isn’t it fun to be back?”