JESUP, Ga. – South Effingham’s football team ended spring workouts with momentum heading into the summer, defeating host Wayne County 29-0 on Wednesday night.

The Mustangs, who finished 4-6 last season, controlled the game offensively and defensively. Rising sophomore quarterback Liam Coburn threw a 79-yard touchdown pass to Jackson McClure and added a 2-yard touchdown run in the first half.

Running back Khyran White, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, capped an 18-play, 70-yard touchdown drive with a 6-yard scoring run on the opening possession of the second half.

In the fourth quarter, played by the junior varsity teams with coaches on the field, rising freshman Harlem Walker added a 15-yard touchdown run.

Defense sets tone

South forced three turnovers and scored the game’s first points when lineman Audrey Mack sacked Wayne County quarterback AJ Bennett in the end zone for a safety.

Kenneth Cruz converted three extra points.

“Last year was a lot of ‘push ourselves and find a way to win’ because we wouldn’t quit,” Mustangs coach Loren Purvis said. “Hopefully, we’re a little better than that this year, but it’s still the same idea. We’re going to grind it out.”

South’s young roster showed the benefit of another year of experience.

On the first play of the second quarter, Coburn and McClure connected on a 79-yard touchdown pass on third-and-20 after recognizing Wayne County’s safety was out of position. The score extended the lead to 9-0.

Late in the half, South safety Landyn White intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 58 yards to the Wayne County 2-yard line. Coburn scored on a quarterback sneak on the next play to make it 15-0.

Mustangs control second half

South opened the third quarter with a methodical 18-play, 70-yard drive that consumed 8:08 and included three fourth-down conversions before White’s touchdown run.

White finished with 74 yards on 17 carries.

Coburn completed 6 of 11 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. Cade Womack caught two passes for 31 yards, while McClure had the Mustangs’ longest play of the night.

During three quarters of varsity action, South outgained Wayne County 219-114.

“We needed to get a win here for the team. It shows our work (in the offseason and spring) meant something,” Coburn said.

Purvis said the Mustangs will take the next two weeks off as the school year concludes. May 25-31, Memorial Day week, is a GHSA “Dead Week,” meaning no practices, conditioning or competitions are allowed on or off campus.

South returns for voluntary summer workouts June 2.