GUYTON — South Effingham’s football team absorbed another tough defeat Friday night. The latest was a 49-12 Region 2-AAAAA defeat against undefeated Wayne County in Jesup.

The Mustangs (2-6, 0-2) connected on two field goals in the first half but the Yellow Jackets (8-0, 2-0) scored on two touchdown passes and a 14-yard run.  

Down 21-6 entering the second half, the Mustangs were held scoreless in the third quarter before Noah Hoang caught a touchdown pass from Taylor Jackson.

“We had some opportunities early in the first half to make some plays and we didn’t,” South Effingham coach Donnie Revell. “They did a good job in the second half using some of our mistakes against us.”

The Mustangs went to their run game, hoping it would provide a spark. The Yellow Jackets, however, stymied South Effingham on the ground and through the air. Jackson completed only two of seven passes.

“They were very talented on both sides of the ball,” Revell said. “We only threw nine times on Friday night. He completed two and one for a touchdown. We tried to control the ball to help keep their offense off the field. 

“Our philosophy is always the same. We’re going to try to take whatever they’re going to give us. If they are going to give us the run, we are going to take the run.”

Wayne County quarterback Shamar Taylor threw for 205 yards and accounted for two touchdowns.

South Effingham will host Ware County this Friday night in another 2-AAAAA contest. The Gators are 5-2 overall and 1-0 in region play.

“They are well coached and very athletic on both sides of the ball,” Revell siad. “It’s a huge challenge for us going into the game and we have to try to find the areas we feel can take advantage of and exploit those during the game.

“Defensively, we have to try to control their quarterback. He’s very athletic and a very good runner. But even like last week, the game got a little out of hand, but our kids continued to play and played hard and that’s what we ask them to do each week.

“My coaches went back to work Sunday and prepared and we are going to do the same thing this week, try to give them an opportunity to make plays. It still comes down to blocking and tackling and players being able to make plays.”