News

REGION 2-6A

Bradwell Institute

Brunswick

Effingham County

Glynn Academy

Richmond Hill

South Effingham

Statesboro

EFFINGHAM COUNTY

2020 RECORD: 3-7

HEAD COACH: John Ford

POINTS SCORED: 116

POINTS AGAINST: 269

KEY PLAYERS: Khiry Wallace (WR/DB -- Sr.); Keion Wallace (TE/LB -- Jr.); Ashley Thompson (DB -- Jr.); Matthew Ford (QB -- Sr.); Rhett Heller (OL -- Sr.); Keysean McCarr (LB -- Jr.); Tyler Wells (LB/WR -- Sr.)

FROM THE COACH: “This year, we are hoping to show progress every week.” -- John Ford

In Year 1 under head coach John Ford, Effingham County is looking to improve its offensive output, and lean on an athletic defense playing in the always difficult Region 2-6A this season. Effingham plans on using a spread system on offense and a multiple scheme on the defensive side. The Rebels averaged just 11.6 points per game last year.

It’ll be a challenge to replace Zach Garcia at quarterback after his graduation in 2020, but the Rebels have one of the area’s top athlete tandems at their disposal in brothers Keion Wallace (junior, wide receiver/linebacker) and Khiry Wallace (senior, wide receiver). Keion has college scholarship offers from Texas A&M and Georgia Tech among others.

Ashley Thompson is a standout safety who should anchor the Effingham secondary in this, his junior season.

RICHMOND HILL

2020 RECORD: 9-3

HEAD COACH: Matt LeZotte

POINTS SCORED: 417

POINTS AGAINST: 200

KEY PLAYERS: Tommy Bliss (ATH -- Sr.); Ty Goldrick (QB -- Jr.); Ravon Grant (WR -- Jr.); Ryan Steele (TE -- Sr.); Caleb Easterling (RB/DB -- Fr.)

FROM THE COACH: “We look for continued success (in 2021). We have a strong core of guys who have been part of two historic seasons (2019, 2020) and they are eager for their shot to represent ‘The Hill.’” -- Matt LeZotte

Few high school football programs across the southern part of Georgia have managed to have the kind of growth, and success, as that of Richmond Hill in recent years. Head coach Matt LeZotte will have perhaps his toughest coaching job yet this season, however.

The Wildcats lose nine offensive starters and 10 defensive starters from last year’s squad and it’ll be no easy task replacing all that production.

Junior Ty Goldrick is set to replace Tyler Coleman at quarterback and highly-regarded freshman Caleb Easterling could be the next great running back at Richmond Hill after Ashaud Roberson ran wild for 1,564 yards and 16 touchdowns on 236 carries last year and Aaron Bedgood (now at Coastal Carolina) eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in the season prior. 

Kenyan Hunter (50 catches, 367 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Jordan Clark (27, 645, 5) are gone at the receiver spot, but the combination of Tommy Bliss, Ravon Grant and others will try and fill the void. Christian Hubbard, Alex Workman and Fisher Avery should be building blocks on the offensive line.

SOUTH EFFINGHAM

2020 RECORD: 1-9

HEAD COACH: Nathan Clark

POINTS SCORED: 103

POINTS AGAINST: 330

KEY PLAYERS: Cameron Edwards (RB/LB -- Sr.); Jah'tavion Weickerson (LB -- Jr.); Joell Laldee (ATH -- Sr.); Justin Martell (WR/DB -- Jr.); Nick Milbrandt (DL/TE/FB -- Sr.); Liam Rickman (K -- Sr.); Peyton Beasley (OL/DL -- Sr.)

FROM THE COACH: “The players have been working hard on the field and in the weight room all off-season. We have really good team morale and energy. We have developed a leadership council and bought-in to the idea of having high character. They've worked hard defensively at tackling and getting to the football. Offensively, we're focused on going back to a spread-based, balanced attack. We hope to be competitive in the region this season.”   -- Nathan Clark

South Effingham should be one of the more improved teams in the area after a tough 2020 season left the Mustangs with a final record of 1-9. In 2021, the second year for Nathan Clark as the South Effingham head coach, the ‘stangs are hoping to find their way into the state playoffs as they did in 2019.

Cam Edwards should be the featured running back in the South Effingham spread-based offensive attack. He’ll also be a major contributor at linebacker in the Mustangs’ 3-4 defensive scheme.

Clark’s squad returns seven starters (three offense, four defense) from last year, including key guys like athletes Justin Martell and Joell Laldee, as well as 2020 second team All-Region 2-6A kicker Liam Rickman. Peyton Beasley anchors the offensive line as a senior and Nick Milbrandt figures to be the leading contributor along the defensive line.

Follow Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Contact him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.

Optim Orthopedics supports Effingham County High Schooll, South Effingham High School, and Richmond Hill High School. St. Vincent's and Savannah Country Day School athletics. The team doctor for Efingham, South Effingham, and  Richmond Hill  is Dr. David Palmer . Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!