Effingham County tries to stay undefeated in Region 3-AAAA while Ware County looks for vengeance this Friday at Rebel Field.

Effingham County won its first two region games, defeating schools from the Augusta area. Now, the Rebels will be tested as the defending region champion Ware County Gators come to Springfield.

Ware is 1-0 in the region, having defeated Brunswick 14-13. Last week, they lost to Class AAAAA power Lowndes 28-14.

ECHS head football coach Jack Webb said one of the keys to pulling out a win is ball control.

“They’re (Ware) so explosive and the more times they’re able to load the gun and the more times they’re able to fire it, then the more trouble we’ll be in,” he said. “Clock management is going to be a big part of it.”

The Rebels’ wishbone rushing attack is suited for eating up a lot of clock. Ware County’s defense had a difficult time last week stopping the run, allowing Lowndes to pick up more than 300 yards on the ground.

Nevertheless, Webb said the Rebels must come out ready to play.

“They (Ware) do what they do good and we do what we do good,” he said. “It will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. We’re going to take advantage of what they give us. Their speed concerns me not only on offense, but also on defense.”

The Rebels upset Ware County in Waycross 32-22 last season.

“Revenge on their part is a big factor,” Webb said. “Our guys have to go in there confident in knowing that we can move the ball on them and that we can block and tackle with them.”

The Gators, similar to Greenbrier, who Effingham defeated 24-7 last Friday, enjoy putting the ball in the air.
Ware’s offense operates out of the I-formation, but also lines up in the shotgun.

“I’m always concerned about a passing attack,” Webb said. “They have speed out there and kids who can catch the football. They have a lot of skill people and that’s going to be another challenge for us.”