SEHS football looks to break winless skid

South Effingham is down to its last chance for its first football win Friday night.

The Mustangs travel to Hinesville to play Bradwell Institute in the season finale and both teams will be hoping to erase “winless” from their 2020 tag.

“Obviously, the year hasn’t gone well but the guys have been working hard and they see this as a last opportunity to get out on the field and play hard,” SEHS coach Nathan Clark said. “For some of the seniors, this is the last time they’ll put on a football uniform. This is their last chance to fight.”

The Mustangs (0-9, 0-5 Region 2-6A) are coming off their most lopsided setback of the season after taking a 55-7 pounding from Richmond Hill.

Clark said he’s trying to learn about his team in the final weeks of the season. He said he played the junior varsity a series against the Wildcats.

“At this point in time, it’s time for the younger guys to get their feet wet,” Clark said. “They’re what we’re going to have next year.”

Bradwell (0-6-1, 0-5) lost to Brunswick 28-12 the last time out. The Tigers began the football season three weeks later than the rest of GHSA schools because their school district contemplated not playing this season before reconsidering.

Bradwell appeared to improve during the season although its record doesn’t have anything to show for it. The Tigers stayed within striking distance before losing to Brunswick and two weeks ago, played Effingham County tough before falling 14-12.

Senior quarterback Jahki Newton and junior running backs Michael Prince and Elijah Leiataua are playmakers in the Tigers’ offense.

SEHS has been struggling on both offense and defense lately. The Mustangs have played most of the season without starting quarterback Alex Cela, who broke his collarbone. They have averaged less than five points in Region 2-6A games this season and have scored a touchdown or less in seven of their nine games this season.

Running back Desmond House has scored the team’s only touchdowns during the last two weeks.

To make matters worse, the SEHS defense has been shredded. Richmond Hill piled up 471 yards of total offense last week.

Clark said a win could lessen the sting of a bad season. Some of the players who have moved up led a junior varsity team that won its last three games.

“You always want to end on a positive note,” Clark said. “Hopefully, there will be some and we can carry that moving forward.”