By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
GUYTON – South Effingham football coach Loren Purvis wanted a scrimmage opponent that plays physically to end the Mustangs’ 10 spring practices.
Long County, with its Power T offensive scheme, fits the bill to a T for Friday’s clash at the Corral. Kickoff will be 6:30 p.m.
“We’ll be able to see teams that spread you out in 7-on-7s during the summer, but I think it’s good to get reps against a team that wants to pound it when you can,” Purvis said. “Long County will be a good test. I want to see if we can match their physicality.”
The Blue Tide, coached by former SEHS assistant Mike Pfiester, averaged 230 rushing yards and 26 points a game last season while advancing to the state playoffs and will have its three leading running backs returning.
Rising junior Jason Familia had a team-leading 1,090 rushing yards and 10 TDs a year ago.
The Mustangs are coming off an 0-10 season so rebuilding the program can’t start soon enough. Under Georgia High School Association rules, teams are allowed to have 10 football practices during a 13 school-day stretch in the spring.
SEHS’ football season starts for real Aug. 15 at home against New Hampstead.
“Practices have been good and the kids have been pleading to get reps,” Purvis said. “I think they’re enjoying football again.”
Purvis said the Mustangs and Blue Tide have agreed to play the first half straight up with some variations. The quarterback can be hit if he runs, but will be down by two-hand touch if he stays in the pocket.
Purvis said the teams may go through situational plays in the second half. Younger players will get the bulk of the snaps in the fourth quarter.
Rising sophomores George Bushatz and Jackson McClure and rising freshman Liam Coburn will be getting their first taste of varsity quarterback play. Coburn took the bulk of the snaps with the first-teamers during an intrasquad scrimmage last Friday before rain shortened practice.
“It’s a quarterback battle that may last through the first month of the summer, maybe longer,” Purvis said.
Offensive lineman David Lane and safety/running back Maddox Vasquez are newcomers expected to play an impact. Lane missed last season after suffering a torn knee ligament in the preseason and “is coming back with a chip on his shoulder,” Purvis said.
Vasquez transferred back to the area from Calvary.
Purvis said he expects to have several players doubling on offense and defense. Team captain Corey Woods, a middle linebacker/Hback, will be key on both sides of the ball. Landyn White (wide receiver/defensive back), Khyran White (running back/outside linebacker), Danny Murtha (safety/wide receiver/running back) and James Brooks (wide receiver/safety) have also moved around for potential double duty.
Seniors Damien Washington, Hayden Still, Woods and Lane will be called on for leadership on a team still very inexperienced.
“We’ll have a lot of kids playing in the scrimmage,” Purvis said. “We want to see the kids who can do the intangibles.”
