BROOKLET — Wanting to get their scrimmage in a week before the regular season starts, Southeast Bulloch and Bryan County were willing to wait out mother nature, and after a 75-minute lightning delay, SEB took away a 13-6 victory in their tune-up Friday night at Fred Shaver Field.
    Things were up and down for the Yellow Jackets throughout the night, but a pair of Drew Ware field goals and a 70-yard touchdown strike from Keagan Carter to Matthew McBride was enough to get by the Redskins.
    “It was good to finally get out on the field,” said SEB coach Pat Collins. “We made some mistakes, which is expected in a scrimmage, but we also saw a lot of things to like.”
    Most of the miscues came early as the Jackets fumbled away possession on two of their first four offensive plays.
    Despite spending much of the scrimmage’s first quarter on defense, SEB was up to the task and limited the Bryan offense to just a 37-yard Ty Wilson field goal after the turnovers.
    With some early jitters out of the way, the Jackets went to work. Spearheaded by sophomore running back Antonio McMillan (16 carries, 78 yards), SEB embarked on a 19-play, 67 yard drive that was capped by Ware’s 38-yard field goal.
    Later in the game, SEB was able to construct another long scoring drive.
    Leading 10-6 in the fourth quarter, Cole Carter (3-for-5, 29 yards) used a short, controlled passing attack to keep the chains moving. Twice, Carter found tight end James Coto for a third-down conversion, the second hookup setting up Ware’s 32-yard boot.
    “Two of the things that we’re depending on this season are taking care of the football and a good kicking game,” said Collins. “We definitely saw some good kicking tonight and had some good, long drives. If we control the ball better, we could have had more of those.”
    The night’s biggest highlight came between the second and third quarters when both junior varsity squads entered the game. On SEB’s first play, Keagan Carter (2-for-3, 93 yards, TD) hit the streaking McBride for the game’s only touchdown. The pair connected again on a 23-yard gain to the Redskin 1, but time ran out before the Jackets could capitalize.
    One final thing that pleased Collins Friday was the attendance.
    Despite the heavy rain and long delay, well over 1,000 SEB and Bryan County supporters stuck it out late into the night.
    “We appreciate the support of this community,” said Collins. “We’re in a rebuilding process and they understand that. Even when there have been those frustrations, the parents and fans have been behind us 100 percent.”
    The Jackets now brace for the start of the 2011 season, which begins next Friday with a home date against cross-county rival Portal. Bryan County begins its regular season hosting Long County, which SEB will visit in Week 2.

    Mike Anthony can be reached at (912) 489-9404.