By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
SPRINGFIELD – There weren’t many soccer wins for Effingham County’s boys and girls soccer teams last season but optimism reigns for the upcoming campaign.
The boys gained valuable experience despite taking their lumps and the girls found leadership from a new coach.
The boys’ and girls’ season start Thursday when ECHS hosts Savannah Country Day. The girls game kicks off at 5 p.m. with the boys following at 7.
Experienced Rebel boys looking to rebound
Head Coach: Austin Czachowski
2024 Record: 3-14-2, 1-11 Class 6A Region 2
Key Returners: G Michael Deien, M Jared Hawkins, D Ben Thomas, M Esteban Reyes, F JJ Harris
Key Losses: D Kyle Hickman, M Derek Diaz
2025 Outlook: Injuries and illnesses forced underclassmen Rebels into action last season and not surprisingly the outcome wasn’t the best.
ECHS now has a plethora of returning players with experience which bodes well for the upcoming season.
Goalie Michael Deien, a senior and three-year starter, returns as one of the best goalies in the area. Nine times he allowed just one goal in a match last season but the team lost eight of those games – five 1-0, had two 0-0 ties and lost a 1-1 match in a shootout.
Esteban Reyes will be key to controlling the ball in the middle and versatile JJ Harris, who missed most of last season with injuries, can play on the backline, forward or in between.
Jared Hawkins and Ben Thomas solidify the back line.
Coach says: We have a good little group. The cohesion is a lot better and everybody is friends. I think a lot of it started in August with weight room and, as the season got closer, running and conditioning. I think being together for that long has really made a difference. … We had a lot of adversity last year but having to live through that is going to make us better.
2025 Schedule: Feb. 13, Savannah Country Day; Feb. 18, New Hampstead; Feb. 21, Brantley County; Feb. 28, Evans*; March 4, Lakeside*; March 7, at Greenbrier*; March 11, at Camden County; March 14, South Effingham; March 18, at Evans*; March 20, at Lakeside*; March 25, Savannah Christian; March 28, Greenbrier*.
* denotes subregion game
New coach leads Lady Rebel
Head Coach: Madison McClenahan
2024 Record: 4-13, 3-9 Region 2-6A
Key Returners: S Brooks Burnsed, M Marisol Miller, S/M Rachel Reagan, M Chloe Adkins, M/D Baylee Hodges
Key Loss: G Dayanara Figueroa
2025 Outlook: First-year head coach Madison McClenahan hopes to bring stability and structure to a program that has had four coaches in five years.
McClenahan played soccer at Randolph-Mason College, a Division III school located in Ashland, Va.
She said learning the girls’ fundamental skills will be a starting point. Twelve of the 21 girls on last year’s roster were freshmen.
Striker Brooks Burnsed scored six goals and assisted on three others to account for the bulk of the team’s 13 goals last season.
Marisol Miller will be a key in the midfield and Chloe Adkins, a standout long distance runner, gained valuable experience on the wing.
Senior Rachel Reagan, who scored four goals last season, and junior Bailee Hodges are battle-tested.
Freshman Riley Bracken has big mitts to fill while replacing standout goalie Dayanara Figueroa.
Coach says: Soccer has always been a nice escape for me in life and my goal is to make that the same for everyone else here.
My main thing is possession, passing (the ball) up the field and not just kicking it. I think the girls are absorbing the information well. We have a lot of young girls who are talented so I think it’s going to be a good season. I’m excited.
2025 Schedule: Feb. 13, Savannah Country Day; Feb. 21, Brantley County; Feb. 28, Evans*; March 4, Lakeside*; March 7, at Greenbrier*; March 11, at Camden County; March 14, South Effingham; March 18, at Evans*; March 20, at Lakeside*; March 25, Savannah Christian; March 28, Greenbrier*.
* denotes subregion game
