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Blue Tide eliminated from playoff contention
Blue Tide defense
Long County had its hands full Friday in its 42-25 loss to Bryan County in Ludowici. - photo by Kadee Dasher

A big first half by Bryan County doomed Long County in the Blue Tide’s 42-25 loss Friday in Region 2-AA football action in Ludowici.

With the loss, the Blue Tide (3-6 overall, 1-4 in region) were eliminated from playoff contention.

The Redskins (5-4, 5-1) scored on four of five first-half possessions to take a 22-point lead in at the half and never looked back in claiming their fourth win in a row.

“In the first half our defense just couldn’t get off the field on third down, and our offense couldn’t establish any drives,” Long County head coach Eric McNair said.

On Bryan County’s second possession, Devante Anderson scored on a 3-yard run, followed by a successful point-after conversion by Christian Thomas.

After the kickoff Long County struck back with quarterback Brendon Scott hooking up with wide receiver Tariq Carpenter for a 65-yard touchdown. Tripp Stapleton’s kick was no good, making the score 7-6 Bryan County. 

Over the remainder of the first half the Redskins offense pounded the ball between the tackles dominating the half.  Markus Johnson scored from 4 yards out, and Anderson punched it in from 8 yards. Thomas put both conversion attempts through the uprights, making the score 21-6. 

It looked like the Blue Tide was going to be able to narrow the gap before the break, but Scott’s pass was picked off by T.C. Pippen. With the ball at his own 45-yard line and only four seconds until halftime, Redskin quarterback Gage Hagen threw the only pass his team would attempt for the entire game — a 65-yard touchdown to Quran George.  After a successful conversion, Bryan County was up 28-6 at the break.

On Bryan County’s second possession of the second half, the Redskins’ offense once again was pounding the ball down the field with a near-perfect running attack. They moved the ball to the Long County 10 and were on the verge of scoring, but Bryan County lost a fumble to stop the drive.

Long County marched down the field, with Scott capping the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. The 2-point conversion attempt failed.

After the kickoff, the Blue Tide had the ball at their own 34-yard line. Scott threw a pass to Stephon Adderly, but the ball was tipped by a Bryan County defender. Never losing his focus, Adderly made a juggling catch and raced inside the Redskins 20.  Harrison then took the handoff and scored for a 19-yard touchdown. Stapleton’s kick was good making the score 35-19. 

However, Anderson responded with his fourth touchdown of the night.

Harrison later scored his second touchdown of the game.

The Blue Tide will wrap up their regular season next Friday in Ludowici against Benedictine Military School. The Cadets are 9-0 and ranked No. 1 in Class AA.  See Wednesday’s Courier for a preview on this game.

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