By: Joe Delaney

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Coach John Ford and the Effingham County Rebels are hard at it.

They are out to show that last year’s 9-3 record and a narrow one-point playoff loss was no fluke.

Coach Ford was upbeat about the coming 26 season. And while there are definitely holes to fill from a great group of graduated seniors, this is a team on the rise in southeast Georgia.

In my conversation with Coach Ford, he was dialed into coach speak. “We’re taking it one day at a time’ and “we’re working hard to make something happen today and every day.”

Sure, you’ve heard that before but in listening to Coach Ford you could tell that’s where the Rebels were, working hard and focused.

It doesn’t hurt that Effingham County itself is one of the fastest growing areas in the state and that makes the turnover more manageable.

In 2026 the Rebels will have a schedule that includes opening games at Richmond Hill and at home against Tift County.

That’s a tough way to start and the Rebels will have to be on their game early.

From there it’s into region play with Brunswick and Glynn Academy looming. It is a workable schedule and being tested in those two opening games should have the Rebels ready for games down the road.

On offense Effingham has a very good running back in Jamere Doe-Davis. He is a great center piece to work from and expect him to shoulder the load early and often.

He will run behind a completely revamped offensive line as all five of the O-line graduated. This and the quarterback position will tell the tail for the offense.

Three youngsters are currently in the mix to start at QB. Whoever takes the job will be young and inexperienced and need to mature quickly.

One thing the new quarterback will have is a talented and experienced group of wide receivers.

Back are Isaiah Brown, Malik Letman, and Trayvis Hunter. Look for Coach Ford to lean on these 3 quality wideouts. They all have good speed and hands.

Defensively the Rebels should be stout. Back on the defensive line is Deyvon Aaron and RJ Brown. Behind them at linebacker are Genard Albright, and Jackson Eubanks.

This should be a very good front seven and couple it with the entire secondary coming back and the defense should carry the team early.

2026 Effingham County Rebels schedule:

8/21     @Richmond Hill

8/28     vrs Tift County

9/4       vrs New Hampstead

9/18     @ Lakeside

9/25     vrs Bradwell

10/2     @ Glynn Academy

10/16   vrs SEHS

10/23    vrs Grovetown

10/30    @ Brunswick

11/6      vrs Greenbrier

Look for the Rebels to field a very good football team in 2026.

While it may be difficult to match last year’s total. The early toughies on the schedule should make this team mature quickly.

The keys will be the offensive line play and a solid season from the new QB. If those fall into place this could be a very tough out come playoff time.