Effingham County High School

Rebels host Liberty in home opener

Liberty County High School at Effingham County High School

Print E-Mail Story Comment

There’s no climbing aboard a bus for the Effingham County Rebels football team this afternoon.

The Rebels will, quite literally, get to defend their own backyard for the first time this season in tonight’s home opener against Liberty County at Rebel Field.

“We hope to play a lot better,” Rebels coach Rick Tomberlin said in the wake of last week’s 28-7 loss to Jefferson County.

Tomberlin isn’t letting Effingham (1-1) put much stock in Liberty’s record this season. The Panthers (0-2) won a playoff game for the first time in the history of the current incarnation of the school last year. The old Liberty County played in the Georgia Interscholastic Association during pre-integration days and eventually was merged with Bradwell Institute.

“They’re a good team,” Tomberlin said. “They’re very well coached, and they’re due. Hopefully, our fortunes will turn.”

Liberty, under veteran coach Kirk Warner, has struggled out of the gate in 2010. The Panthers lost their opener on the road, falling 28-7 to Americus-Sumter. The Panthers were held to two first downs and less than 70 yards of offense. Kedrick Jones’ 28-yard run was the lone Liberty score against the homestanding Panthers.

Liberty lost 28-14 to McIntosh County Academy last week, with a potential game-tying drive ending in a fumble return for a touchdown for MCA.

And Tomberlin is hoping the Panthers don’t start clicking this weekend. He’s wary of the seasoned team, led by Class AAA all-state honorable mention running Shadrach Thornton.

“He’s going to be the best running back we’ve played yet,” Tomberlin said. “He’s really good. He’s the kind of guy you keep feeding the ball to.”

Jefferson County’s high-octane offense racked up 447 yards and 19 first downs last week against the Rebels.

“I thought there were times when we ran to the ball well,” Tomberlin said, “and there were times we lost some focus.”