Long County picked up its second win of the year last week by beating New Hampstead 46-24 in Ludowici.

This week, the Blue Tide are home again, hoping to continue their winning ways when they take on Groves on Friday in a big Region 2-AA game.
Groves, which has yet to win a game, will be looking to end itslosing streak.

The Rebels beat Long County 36-20 last year in the teams’ first meeting.

Long County (2-4), on the other hand, comes into Friday’s game riding high after manhandling the Phoenix on offense and defense last Friday.
Statistically, it appears Long County has a clear advantage on offense. The Blue Tide are averaging 20 points a game, compared to Groves only putting up seven points a night. Defensively, the teams appear to be evenly matched, with each giving up 28 points a game.

When looking at common opponents this year, the Blue Tide have the edge, having beaten New Hampstead 46-24, while Groves lost 25-19 to the Phoenix. Both Long County and Groves have lost to Vidalia, with the Blue Tide falling 35-0 and the Rebels losing 45-0.

Long County enters Friday’s game as the favorite, according to this week’s MaxPreps-Foreman Power Poll, which has the Blue Tide 49 spots above Groves in the overall state rankings and
17 spots above the Rebels in the AA state rankings.

With the Rebels being 0-3 in the region and the Blue Tide sitting at 1-2, the game is more important to Long County, as the Tide still are hoping to squeak into the playoffs as the season winds down.

Benedictine Military School sits atop the 2-AA standings at 3-0. McIntosh County, Vidalia and Bryan County each are one game back at 2-1, with Long County, Jeff Davis and Bacon County two games back at 1-2.

Friday’s game is also homecoming for Long County High School, with the queen scheduled to be crowned at halftime.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.