There is no rest for the weary this week as Long County takes to the field for a second game in five days. The Blue Tide face the Pierce County Bears on Saturday.

The game comes three days after playing their first Region 2-AAA game of the season on Tuesday against Appling County that was pushed back four days by Hurricane Matthew.

The Blue Tide meet their old AA rivals in Blackshear and it will be tough to return to Ludowici with a victory. The Bears are coming off their first region game of the year Monday against Brantley County in another storm-delayed game.

The Tide were looking for their second win of the season going into Tuesday’s game, which was played before our press time. They had not tasted victory since a 22-12 win over Islands to open the season. The Appling Bears had lost two of their last three heading into Monday’s game against the Blue Herons.

Long County must overcome a strong Bear offense, which leads the region by averaging more than 470 yards and 30 points per game this year. The Blue Tide average under 15 points a game, but do lead the region with nearly two sacks a game and 83 tackles on the season.

“We have to take away the big plays, keep Pierce in front of us and make them earn their yardage,” head coach Eric McNair said about stopping the Bears’ offense. “They are very talented and have a Division I quarterback. They will get their due. We have to minimize the big play and score points when we have the ball on offense.”

The Blue Tide are 0-6 all-time against the Bears and last faced them in 2011, a 21-3 loss. The series ran from 2006-11 when they competed in Region 2-AA.

Saturday’s game is at 8 p.m. in Bearville Stadium.