The Ebenezer Middle School boys soccer team recently capped a 9-1 season by winning the Coastal Empire region championship with a 4-3 victory over Richmond Hill Middle School.

"It was a great season for the Ebenezer Middle School Screamin’ Eagles," said head coach Darwin Exley. "These fine young men worked extremely hard during the season and displayed great sportsmanship and character. They definitely are deserving of this championship. All of Effingham County can be proud of what they have done."

The Eagles entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed and beat Burke County 2-1 in the first round. EMS hosted South Effingham Middle in the semifinals and prevailed in a penalty kick shootout.

With the game tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, Eagles keeper Tyler Boyer stopped all four SEMS shots in the best-of-five shootout. Chandler Drew and Ryan Thompson converted their attempts for the Eagles.

The Eagles trailed twice in the championship game against Richmond Hill. Devin Landis tied the game at 1-1 and scored again to tie the game at 2-2. In the second half, Ryan Thompson’s header gave EMS a 3-2 lead before RHMS tied the game at 3-3, sending it to a penalty kick shootout.

Ebenezer outscored the Wildcats 2-1 in the shootout as Boyer stopped four shots. Thompson and Landis scored on their penalty kick attempts.