It was a disappointing day for Southeast Bulloch’s boys soccer team Thursday night in a 7-0 shutout loss to Effingham County High School.
    SEB soccer coach Davis Williford said his team didn’t come out with enough energy or have the right amount of mental preparation before the game.
    “I was joking with them at the half and told them I was going to buy them Red Bulls just to wake them up,” said Williford after the game. “The first half they came out really flat and not so energized. I told them that we were sitting back, letting (Effingham County) play to us and not pressuring the ball. We have to challenge the ball.”
    SEB had a few miscues on defense that allowed the Rebels jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first half. Matthew Beech scored on a penalty kick at the 6:43 mark to give Effingham County a 4-0 lead heading into the half.
    The second half, however, would be a different story for the Yellow Jackets. SEB seemed to come out with more energy after a talk from Coach Williford.
    “It’s really just the small things and the technical mechanics of what we need to do. It’s a development thing and it won’t happen overnight. I told them don’t play like boys play like men. I told them to win this half and give it as much as you can. They did that and I was really proud of them.”

Lady Rebels 3,  Lady Jackets 1
    It was a close game for the Lady Yellow Jackets against Effingham County in the first 50 minutes, then SEB had a few defensive breakdowns that allowed the Lady Rebels to roll to a 3-1 win.
    The Lady Yellow Jackets’ defensive scheme gave Effingham County fits in the first half.
    Southeast Bulloch went into the first half tied 0-0. Ten minutes into the second half the Lady Rebels scored their first goal. Four minutes later, Savannah Leslie pushed a goal through to put ECHS up 2-0.
    “Our style is really more counter attack than possession. Autumn Brown did a great job of picking up balls. (Effingham County) really didn’t have too many good chances in the first half and we picked our moments to attack,” SEB girls coach Kristen Barnhill said. “I should have subbed a bit more in the first half. We were tired and Effingham switched formation at halftime. Hats off to their coach. They overloaded one side and we didn’t recover well.”
    The Lady Yellow Jackets have a few new faces on defense this year. Barnhill said Thursday’s matchup was a great challenge for her players.