Fans of Southeast Bulloch football won’t have to travel far to see their team in action this season. Including the pre-season, the Yellow Jackets will play in eight home games this year.
    SEB won’t travel on the road until its Sept. 18 matchup against Dodge County.
    SEB athletic director and assistant football coach Jack Webb said he looks forward to the team playing so many home games. Playing in front of the home crowd isn’t just a financial benefit for the school, but allows the team’s fanbase to support the Yellow Jackets throughout the season, he said.
    “I hope people come out and support them, of course winning would take care of a lot of that,” said Webb, who has coached for nearly four decades. “We want to win some games early and create some enthusiasm and interest in our team.”
    The Yellow Jackets will begin the year with back-to-back-to-back home games. SEB kicks of the regular season against Pierce County Aug. 28.
    Webb said teams in the 1-Division B AAA region don’t mind playing away games at Southeast Bulloch. Due to the large number of teams in the Chatham County area and a lack of “home” stadiums amongst schools, playing at SEB prevents scheduling conflicts.
    “We’ve been able to do this the past couple of years. Chatham County has just two stadiums for about 11 or 12 high schools to use,” Webb said. “This just keeps us from possibly having to play on a Thursday night or playing on a Saturday night or Saturday afternoon. With that many schools there (in Chatham County) it’s better if they would agree to play here.
    “The schools in Savannah actually like playing here because all of their money goes into one big pot and it’s spread evenly amongst the teams, but if they come here (to Southeast Bulloch) we guarantee them a certain amount and that money goes right back into the school.”
    Yellow Jackets’ head coach Pat Collins, in his sixth year with SEB, said he’s ready to get the year going.
    “I think this can only help us. We like playing at home and we minimize any kind of travel expenses that might occur,” Collins said.
    Collins stated before the start of the year that he is “cautiously optimistic” about this season. If the Yellow Jackets are able to place in the top of the region, the team will get yet another chance to play at home for a state playoff game, scheduled for Nov. 6.
    Webb said there will be plenty of behind-the-scene work to be done in preparation for the upcoming year. However, he said he trust the school’s staff to get the job done.
    “Well one thing is we have a good staff here that jumps in and helps us right away. The other thing is we’ve had very little turnover. I get them kind of set up and then they execute and I help lock it down at night,” said Webb, laughing.