SPRINGFIELD — Effingham County’s Zach Thomas and Randy Scott didn’t let a few senior-year bumps in the road keep them from reaching their desired destination.

Thomas, a kicker, and Scott, a speedy receiver, will get to play college football after signing with Ramah Juco Academy and Savannah State University on Feb. 5.

“It’s a very special moment when we get to move athletes on to the next level,” said Matt Huntley, Effingham  County’s athletic director. “It’s always a huge accomplishment for us and these are two great young men that we know will go on and represent Effingham County High School well at the next level.”

Both players were thrilled to extend their careers because neither had the kind of senior campaign they wanted. Thomas’ scoring opportunities were limited as the Rebels slipped to 2-8 in 2019 after advancing to the second round of the Class AAAAAA playoffs the previous year.

“(The Ramah Juco Academy coach) saw one of my films and said he liked it,” said Thomas, who booted a 51-yard field goal last year. “He offered me about three weeks ago.”

Scott was hampered by a nagging leg injury in 2019.

“During the summer, I had a little incident where my knee hit a helmet,” he said. “During the season, I came back at the beginning but got hurt against Bradwell.”

Just like Thomas, Scott’s perseverance paid off handsomely.

“What goes unnoticed is how much sacrifice they put in and their parents put in — athletically and academically,” Rebels head coach Buddy Holder said. “There are a lot of things you have to do to have this happen and they’ve done that, and we are very proud of them.”