By Jeff Moeller for the Effingham Herald

 

            When you talk about sports in Effingham County, baseball has set the precedent for a long time. 

            Over the past few years, however, football has made its way deep into those discussions, and the Effingham County recreational program has played a huge role in its recent ascent. Last season, all three Jaguars’ youth programs won district titles, and the program appears primed for another banner year, as all of the team have healthy numbers among their ranks.

Longtime coach Joe Meglan, who guides the 12-under team, can trace his involvement with a championship team back to the 2015 and 2016 seasons when they brought home titles on the 10-under and 12-under levels.

Meglan recalled a district championship for the 12-under group, one he won’t soon forget. It was yet another chapter in an evolving storyline that hasn’t been sidetracked.

“It was pretty cool,” he stated. “We had five kids off that team that got (college) scholarships for football. We were very limited during COVID, but we still managed to stay the course.

“Baseball has been crazy in this county, but football is really beginning to make an impact.”

Meglan, who also is a coach on the Effingham varsity level, credits the involvement of head varsity coach John Ford and South Effingham head coach Loren Purvis for their support to keep the pipeline flowing. In 2022, Effingham County had its best season since 2016 with a 7-4 overall record and a 5-1 slate in regional games. They lost an opening-round Class 6A playoff game. 

During the summer, workouts averaged 40 to 50 players, according to Meglan. On some days, the participation rate was higher.

 “A big part of the turnaround has been the support from the high school coaches,” he said. “We are building an overall program here, and it starts with the rec program and moves to the high school. Kids work when they are here, and the recreation department has been very supportive.

“We may lose some kids to South Effingham, but the overwhelming majority of kids stay with us.”

Brandon Myers, who coaches the 10-under team and also is a member of the varsity staff, has seen a total transformation of the program. His team last season was third in the regionals.

“It has been like night and day,” he said. “This has always been a big baseball area, and it’s good to see football taking off. Coach Ford has played a big role, and the varsity team has made the state playoffs the past two years. 

“There are other counties that have been football hotbeds for years, but we have been turning into one.”

Myers noted that players for the Jaguars’ team are determined through tryouts, and the remainder of the players are dispersed to the other teams.

“It is a healthy competition, and it is good for everybody,” said Myers. “It makes it hard for the coaches, but the kids understand the process.”

Andrew Walsingham, who is the public address announcer for the program, has witnessed what he described as a “revival’ of the program to its current status. With the regular season on the horizon, Walsingham sees another strong campaign ahead. 

“You can easily see that the kids want to be part of this program, and they are willing to make sacrifices to do it,” said Walsingham. “A big key to this success has been the continuation of the program from the 8-and-under through high school.  

“Rec football used to fly under the radar, but now it is a large part of the community. We’re all ready for another season.”