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ECMS ends season in region playoffs
thomas lee
Effingham County Middle School’s Thomas Lee (7) finds running room. The Panthers finished their season with a loss to Burke County in the region playoffs. - photo by Photo provided

The Effingham County Middle School Panthers varsity football team ended its regular season play with a record of 3-3. They defeated William James, Ebenezer and South Effingham. This put them in a tie position with Screven County for the fourth seed in the region playoffs.

The Panthers traveled to Screven and played an exciting tie breaking battle. Each team is given three possessions on the 20-yard line in a tie breaking game.  The team to score the most or gain the most yards wins.

ECMS scored on its first possession of the tie breaker with a run by Thomas Lee. The Panthers converted the extra point to put them in the lead 8-0.
Screven County failed to score against the Panthers defense, and ECMS earned the fourth place position in the region playoffs.

Then ECMS traveled to Burke County to face the number 1 seed in the playoffs. Burke County led 30-0 at halftime, and ECMS scored in the second half on a pass from Lee to Casey Warner. Lee added a two-point conversion and Burke won 36-8.

The ECMS Panthers attribute their success to hard work and dedication beginning with spring practice and continuing with their summer weightlifting program and long hot fall practices.

ECMS is coached by Jason Napier.  He will be saying goodbye to 21 players and will be looking forward to another successful year relying on the experience of several returning players.