BROOKLET — Win or lose, the Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets will wrap up their most successful regular season in several years tonight as they host Appling County.
    The Yellow Jackets (4-5, 2-4) have a chance to have their first non-losing season since 2005 if they can upset the Pirates (7-1-1, 5-1).
    To do so, SEB will have to find a way to contain the quickness and explosiveness of the Pirates.
    “They have better team speed than anyone in the region,” said SEB head coach Pat Collins.
    The Yellow Jackets can expect a heavy dose of the running game as the Pirates run the ball more than 70 percent of the time and when they do pass, they’re doing so to spread out the defense and take advantage of their speed.
    To stop Appling County, Collins said the Yellow Jackets need to play fundamental team defense that includes pursuing to the ball and sound tackling.
    “At times this season we’ve done that very well and other times we’ve kind of broken down defensively,” he said. “We’re well versed in how and what we need to do. We just have to make sure we execute.”
    Offensively for SEB, the running game out of their Wing-T formation will continue to be the key.
    “We have to control the tempo with our offense,” he said.
    Running back Antonio McMillian has a chance to top the 1,000-yard mark for the season with 75 yards while fullback Tyler Epps could crack the 800-yard mark with 72 yards.
    Unlike other teams Collins has coach, this team has continued to improve week after week, he said, which is a credit to the players striving to get better every day in practice.
    Collins had high praise for the seniors on the team who have seen tough times over their career with SEB.
    “They’ve helped to turn this program around by their commitment to this team,” he said. “When we finally get this turned around, these seniors can take a lot of pride in that accomplishment,” he said. “They’ve laid a solid foundation, not just for this season, but for future success.”
    Kickoff is set for 7:30 at Fred Shaver Field.