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Mustangs defense getting ready
def gets after it 2
South Effingham’s defensive line works on getting a good jump from the line of scrimmage with defensive line coach Tony Kirkland acting as the quarterback. - photo by Photo by Jimmy Currier

Donnie Revell returns to South Effingham for the seventh consecutive year as defensive coordinator to lead the 4-4 defense.

In the formation, the Mustangs will line up four defensive linemen, four linebackers, two cornerbacks and a free safety.

Revell explained that the Mustangs use the 4-4 because of its flexibility.

“I like it because we can adjust to different formations that opposing offense have,” he said. “We can get to a five-man front if we need to and do stunts out of it easier opposed to running a 5-2.”

The Mustangs defense should be firing on all cylinders when the season starts Friday against Groves. South Effingham returns seven starters from last year’s team, including  all-Region 3-AAA second team defensive end Cody Miller .

“We’re excited about starting the season,” he said. “We’re ready.”

Other returners include defensive  linemen  Frank King, Michael Woodward and Tyler Horn and linebackers Bobby Stroud, Hunter Barras and Chris Zittrouer.

“I think we are really strong and I am expecting the defense to have a great year stopping the run,” SEHS head coach Greg Manior said. “We have the guys in place to do it, who have a year or two under their belt. They are well-coached by Coach (Donnie) Revell and the defensive staff. They’re looking forward to shutting out some people.”

Despite returning seven starters, the Mustangs must replace last season’s secondary and Revell admits it is a challenge.

“We’re working on filling the holes and are moving guys around right now in the secondary,” he said. “We may have to do a few things differently than we did last year and at times we can’t do things that we want to. But it’s a nice thing having non-region games early so we can get things set the way we want it going into region play.”