'A small tribute to a great man.' Effingham Co. renames football field for former coach
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SPRINGFIELD — A festive night for the Effingham community became special Friday when former Effingham County football coach Bob Griffith was honored prior to the kickoff between the Rebels and the South Effingham Mustangs.
ECHS recently named its athletic facility after Griffith, who turned around the school’s football program while compiling a 129-67 in 18 seasons (1981-98).
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Griffith and his family were joined by Georgia House Reps. Jon Burns and Bill Hitchens, ECHS principal Amie Dickerson, Athletic Director Jake Darling and Effingham Schools Superintendent Yancy Ford for a 20-minute ceremony at the 50-yard line.
The football field will now be known as Rebel Field at Bob Griffith Stadium.
“I’m really glad it happened and glad his family had a chance to share in it,” said Rebels coach John Ford after his squad’s 29-3 victory over the Mustangs. “Coach Griffith meant so much to so many people in this community. It’s a small tribute to a great man.”
During Griffith’s tenure, the Rebels won five sub-region championships, three region championships, advanced to nine state playoffs and appeared in the 1987 state championship game.
Griffith was the Region 3-AAAA Coach of the Year in 1987, 1990 and 1995. He was the state’s Coach of the Year in 1987 and he was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2011.
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Fast start sets tone for runaway win
After methodically going 60 yards on eight plays for a touchdown on its opening possession, ECHS faced its first third-down play of the game — a third-and-1 at the Rebel 44 — on its second possession.
Running back Jayden Evans powered ahead for 28 yards to pick up the first down at the SEHS 28-yard line. Four plays later, Evans scored on a 2-yard run to make it 15-0.
Rebel defense dominates
The Rebels' defense held South to 62 offensive yards and four first downs for most of the game, flinching only on the Mustangs' final drive. Effingham County surrendered 77 yards on the possession but kept South out of the end zone. Kicker Tyler Quick’s 34-yard field goal with 3:10 left accounted for SEHS’ lone points.
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Effingham stretches win streak against rival
ECHS claimed the county football championship for the third year in a row and the ninth time in the last 11 years. The Rebels hold a 17-12 edge in the series that began in 1996 when Effingham County High School was split to form SEHS.
It was also the first Region 2-6A game for both teams.
Rebels RB earns game ball
Evans, a junior, ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Evans accounted for all 65 yards on ECHS’ second possession with runs of 9, 28, 15 and 11 yards before scoring on a 2-yard run to make it 15-0 in the first quarter.
He added a 5-yard TD run in the third quarter.
Tough games ahead as September's end nears
South Effingham will be on the road in Sylvania against Screven County next Friday while the Rebels travel to Brunswick for a Region 2-6A showdown with Glynn Academy.
They said it
“(Evans) is a hard-working kid who was ready when his number was called. He comes to work every day and he’s experiencing some of the rewards. Damion (Gordon) does a great job behind him.” — Ford, Effingham County's coach, about his junior and sophomore running backs in the Rebels’ one-back set
“We didn’t end up on the right side of the scoreboard. We have work to do. We’re not as physical as we need to be. Effingham is good and they just beat us. We have to get better. If we stay positive, we have a chance to win (region) games and get to the playoffs.” — South Effingham coach Nathan Clark
EFFINGHAM CO. 29, SOUTH EFFINGHAM 3
SEHS|0|0|0|3|—|3
ECHS|15|0|14|0|—|29
First quarter
EC—Keysean McCarr 1 run (Nate Hayes run)
EC—Jayden Evans 2 run (Jonah Strickland kick)
Third quarter
EC—Damion Gordon 48 run (Strickland kick)
EC—Evans 5 run (Strickland kick)
Fourth quarter
SE—Tyler Quick 34 FG
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Effingham County, South Effingham football rivalry celebrates coach
