By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Tucker Perkins is almost surprised to be asked if he’s surprised at his success.

The Effingham County High School first-year starting quarterback targeted immediate success like his approach to throwing pinpoint spirals – it’s what he’s worked for during the long, hot days of the summer.

So Perkins remains unfazed by the statistics rarely, if ever, seen before in Springfield. He’s thrown for 2,619 yards and 32 touchdowns while suffering just six interceptions.

According to MaxPreps, as of Nov. 6, he was fifth in the state in passing yardage despite missing three quarters against Brunswick because of a shoulder injury.

“We had thoughts of a 3,000-yard season. We’re just making it happen,” he said after a Rebel practice last week crept into the recent early evening darkness.

Perkins will have a chance to reach that goal when ECHS begins postseason play on the road Friday night against East Paulding.

“I had a lot of confidence in Tucker,” Rebels coach John Ford said. “He had a good offseason. I felt he had good symmetry with the offensive line and wide receivers. I thought we’d be very diverse offensively and he’d be a great point guard-type quarterback and he’d get the ball where it needed to be.”

Perkins replaced graduated star Nate Hayes, who led ECHS to a region title in 2023 while earning region Offensive Player of the Year honors.

But if any doubts about Perkins’ inexperience surfaced, they were erased when he threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns in the season-opener against Houston County.

The next game, Perkins led the high-powered attack to an extraordinary 41-point surge in 16 minutes while erasing a 30-point deficit in the home opener against New Hampstead.

“He’s a perfect fit for the offense and actually makes it better, with his legs and ability to throw the ball,” ECHS assistant quarterback coach Matthew Ford said. “With the offensive line giving him time, he can get the ball downfield because his arm strength is huge. He’s done a great job since Day 1. He’s filled the quarterback shoes well.”

It’s been a perfect offensive storm. ECHS has an experienced offensive line that continues to get better, running backs who can take advantage of pass-worried defenses and a stable of speedy wide receivers who stretch the field.

And the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Perkins distributes the ball without favoritism. Five receivers have 20 or more catches, four have six TDs catches or more, four have 489 or more yards.

“We’re definitely an air-it-out team,” he said. “It’s awesome throwing the ball a lot but we have a good mixture going on right now.”

Against Statesboro, Perkins attempted only 13 passes when the Blue Devils loaded the secondary with a zone defense. But that strategy gave ECHS running back Jmere Doe-Davis room to run for 219 yards.

“I have no issue (throwing just 13 times), whatever it takes to win,” Perkins said.

Perkins comes from an athletic family. His father played high school football and baseball and sister Emily was a key performer on ECHS’ volleyball team.

As a youth, Perkins played recreation football, starting as a wide receiver before moving to quarterback.

He led the Rincon Colts to an 18-0 record and a state championship in the under-12 recreation division.

“Tucker doesn’t stop working and he hates to lose,” said Matthew Ford, who spent hours each day throwing with Perkins after the Rebels’ speed training this summer.

Perkins’ bond with his receivers grew during 7-on-7 competition also in the summer. The Rebels advanced to the championship of the game of a tournament at Georgia Southern University.

ECHS’ season could hinge on its passing game as the state playoffs begin. East Paulding allowed less than 15 points a game while finishing with a 9-1 record during the regular season.

“East Paulding, they have a good team obviously,” Perkins said. “If we can do what we do, it will be a good game.”