By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
GUYTON – South Effingham put away its footballs early on July 18 and dusted off some old tires from the equipment shed.
The Mustangs were about to begin intense one-on-one tire drill battles. With the smaller car tires, players engaged in an individual tug-of-war-like competition.
With the bigger tractor tires, players on each side of the upright tire pushed to bring the tire to the ground.
“This is all about competition. We want to see who wants to compete,” SEHS coach Loren Purvis said.
Thursday ended the week of four practice days, including a day of padded camp at McIntosh County Academy in Darien on July 16. Purvis says he still has questions about positions and leadership.
Returning leaders are scarce. In May, the Mustangs graduated eight 2023 football players, who will play collegiate sports (either football, lacrosse, or wrestling).
Who will replace them? There isn’t a lot of time to find out. The Mustangs’ football season kicks off Aug. 16 against New Hampstead in Pooler Stadium.
“We have to figure out who’s ready to play,” Purvis said. “Who are going to be the leaders? We’re still in that phase.”
Acclimation period gets underway
The Georgia High School Association’s football acclimation period began July 22. Players must complete five straight practices with no other protective equipment other than helmets and mouthpieces before working out in pads which begins July 29.
All practices must be run in accordance with the GHSA’s standard for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, which produces a reading that accounts for temperature, humidity and wind speed to combat heat stress.
Both South Effingham and Effingham County high schools are equipped with Perry Weather monitoring to keep coaches on top of conditions which may affect practice.
During the summer months, both schools have conducted workouts in the morning when temperatures are cooler, but when school starts Aug. 8, after-school practice could begin at 4 p.m. in the heat of the day. High WBGT readings can force coaches to shorten practices, eliminate pads, back up workouts to the evening or move practices indoors.
“This side of the state has always been hot, so we’re still trying to figure out what time we’ll be able to start and get a full practice in,” Purvis said.
SEHS to hold Lift-a-thon on July 27
On Saturday, South Effingham will conduct its football Lift-a-Thon, an individual competition combining strength (bench, squat, and the clean and jerk), speed (40-yard dash and pro shuttle) and agility (vertical jump and broad jump).
The Mustangs encourage fans to come out and watch. The coaching staff will acknowledge winners in events and classes (freshmen, sophomore, etc.) and crown an overall winner.
Last season, Aubrey Heath, who will attend Georgia Southern University as a preferred walk-on, was the overall winner.
