SEHS’ Moose Bringer shines at Rebel Invitational

Donald Heath For the Effingham Herald South Effingham’s Brandon “Moose” Bringer holds his most outstanding wrestler trophy while posing with his teammates at the Rebel Invitational.

Published: Dec 14, 2022, 3:21 PM

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SPRINGFIELD – South Effingham’s Brandon “Moose” Bringer entered last weekend’s Rebel Invitational intent on starting a new winning streak.

Mission accomplished. The sophomore recorded four pins and a technical fall en route to winning the 138-pound weight class and earning the most outstanding wrestler award for the two-day event.

“I had to step up my game and do right for the team and get the win,” said Bringer, who won his first 22 matches of the season before losing in the finals of the Creekview Invitational on Dec. 3. “I just have to get stronger and get smarter with my moves to be successful.”

It was an outstanding weekend for Bringer and his teammates at the 22nd-annual event hosted by Effingham County High School. SEHS had 10 top-five finishers to score 274 points and win the traditional-style event against 32 competing teams.

Bringer and Enrique Santana, at 165, captured individual titles.

Conner Nevin won at 132 for Effingham County, which placed 12th in team points.

The finals finished about 6 p.m. on Saturday to conclude a grueling tournament that ended its first day (Friday) at about 10:30 p.m.

“I think this was one of our more memorable tournament wins,” SEHS coach Christopher Bringer, Moose’s father, said. “I think I have some tough dudes who have been fighting hard. They stayed focused.”

Coach Bringer sees one of those tough dudes across the breakfast table every morning. Moose compiled a 53-9 record while finishing fifth at state last season as a freshman.

Moose pinned Ryan Gallagher in the first round of the finals at the Rebel Invitational.

“The loss at Creekview didn’t sit well with Moose and he went out on a mission to beat everyone as badly as he could. He was impressive,” coach Bringer said.

Santana, another fifth-place finisher at state last season, also showed a gladiator’s mentality. The senior battled through a bloody nose and a late head butt to hold off West Laurens’ Drake Wood 7-5 in the finals. Wood placed second at state in 4A last season

Nevin won five decisions, including 8-4 over Bishop England’s Sam Cherichello in the finals. Cherichello was second in South Carolina’s Class 3A state tournament.

“Conner still has some things to fix, but he’s one of the hardest workers we have so we’ll get them fixed,” ECHS coach Nico Guggino said.

For the Rebels, Mal Santiago advanced to the finals at 113. Elijah Johnson and freshman Kevin Poythress won six matches to come out of the consolation brackets and finish fifth at 132 and 150.

South’s Stephen Tootle and Ian Wood advanced to the finals at 120 and 144 respectively. Daniel Galindez went 6-1 at 106, Jacob Stellhorn went 5-1 at 132 (with his only loss to Nevin) and heavyweight Ashton Anderson won seven matches, each placing third. Nicholas Sessions and William Christmas finished fourth at 157 and 215. Ashton Tootle placed fifth at 175.

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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 16, 2025, 5:22 PM

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,” SEHS 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 SEHS 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 the SEHS 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.