GUYTON — A high degree of competitiveness was on display during Friday’s Silver-White Game at The Corral.
The intrasquad scrimmage, won by the Silver 33-14, provided a chance for every South Effingham player to step forward in their quest to earn a better spot on a team that has plenty up for grabs.
“There’s no doubt about it,” Mustangs head coach Nathan Clark said. “Nothing is set in stone for us by any means.”
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on South Effingham’s preparation for the season that starts Friday at home against Metter. Practice was interrupted for several days a couple weeks ago after a few players tested positive for the contagious respiratory ailment.
“We’ve only been in full pads for about a week and a half,” Clark said. “We still don’t know who can do what and tonight was a big opportunity for others to come out and play well. We saw some players who stepped up and we saw some that we’re disappointed in.”
The scrimmage featured a bevy of turnovers, including three fourth-quarter interceptions midway through the final period.
“That’s to be expected with what we’re dealing with right now,” Clark said. “It’s because of the situation that we’re in not being able to get as many reps that we would normally have at this point in time.”
The Mustangs’ timing and cohesion were further hindered by an effort to balance the strength of the teams.
“There’s no doubt that made a difference,” Clark said. “The guys weren’t always used to playing with the person standing next to them.”
Scrimmage highlights included a 47-yard field goal by Liam Rickman that opened the scoring. He later added a scoring kick from 43 yards.
Also, Jacob Brown hooked up with Koby Jenkins and Larry Scott on scoring tosses to help put the Silver up 17-0.
The Silver, bolstered by the running of Scott and Cameron Edwards, also got two scoring jaunts from Jamari Fields.
Desmond House tallied both White touchdowns on short rushes. His first one, coupled with a Rickman PAT, cut the gap to 17-7.
After the scrimmage, Clark stressed to his team that it is fortunate to be in a position to play with COVID-19 constantly lurking.
“I told them, ‘You need to take advantage of it because you never know when that opportunity might be stripped away from you,’” he said. “They need to play every play like it’s their last one and enjoy it because we don’t know what the future holds.”
Clark knows what Friday holds — a Metter team that runs the wing-T with precision. The Tigers, added to the slate after COVID-19 forced the loss of Beaufort, S.C., and some Savannah teams, beat Swainsboro 28-0 in their opener.
“We’re excited to just have the opportunity to play an opponent,” Clark said. “Metter went the (Class AA) quarterfinals last year. They are a smaller school but they are going to be tough.
“They have good linemen and several good backs, and their defense is athletic.”
