By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Mustangs sputter in scrimmage loss to Southeast Bulloch
Ashton Troutman
South Effingham's wide receiver Ashton Troutman (2) returns as the team leader in catches (11) and receiving yards (110). (Photos by Mark Lastinger/Special for the Effingham Herald.)

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald



GUYTON – South Effingham's first-year head football coach Loren Purvis says he'll have some evaluating to do after his squad's 16-7 loss to Southeast Bulloch in a scrimmage Aug. 11.

"We just didn't play with our best effort," said Purvis, who saw his squad commit three turnovers in the second half as the game got away.

Lightning in the area before a torrential rain delayed the game about 75 minutes, taking some of the humidity in the air and a lot of the steam from the Mustangs' offense.

South marched 80 yards on 11 plays, culminated by Gannon White's 3-yard TD run to provide a 7-0 lead on the Mustangs' first possession.

Mustang mascot
SEHS' Mustang mascot had a chance to cheer in the first quarter when the hosts took a 7-0 lead in a scrimmage against Southeast Bulloch on Aug. 11. SEHS lost 16-7.
But when the bad weather arrived, SEHS' mistakes also showed up. Two Mustang penalties for 18 yards (one, a 13-yard personal foul for a late hit) set up Kyon Taylor's game-tying 10-yard TD run in the second quarter.

SEHS' fumble preceded the Yellow Jackets' 28-yard field goal by Cole Snyder, giving SEB a 10-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.

And with 1:58 to go, freshman Aaden Peterson, the son of Georgia Southern football great Adrian Peterson returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown to seal the Mustangs' fate.

South held a 234-149 advantage in total yards. The first-teamers played three quarters and the reserves played in the fourth quarter.

Kaden DeGenaro started at quarterback and completed 6-of-10 passes for 69 yards. Ashton Troutman caught three passes for 48 yards and Kadin Ward had three carries for 30 yards.

Five different players caught passes and 15 different players had a carry for SEHS.

"We played a lot of kids and that's good, so we have a lot on film," Purvis said. "We have a lot to look at. We have positions to evaluate."