The first two games of the football season were tough ones for Long County.

The Blue Tide were on the road, taking on opponents with a combined record of 5-2. In their season opener, they fell to Tattnall County 21-14, and last Friday, they lost to Metter 24-18. In each close game, the Blue Tide had a touchdown taken off of the scoreboard because of a penalty. In short, the Blue Tide had their opportunities and could have won both contests.

Fortunately for Long County, both games were against nonregion opponents. That won’t be the case Friday, when Region 2-AA foe Jeff Davis comes to Ludowici.

The Yellow Jackets come into the game undefeated having beaten Atkinson County (21-12), North Cobb Christian (32-14) and Montgomery County (36-2). Jeff Davis averages an impressive 30 points a game while allowing only 10. According to the MaxPreps-Foreman Poll, the Yellow Jackets are ranked No. 28 in the state AA rankings.

Long County, which is No. 41 in the AA rankings, average 16 points a game. The Blue Tide have been behind at halftime in both of their games, but have played well in the second halves, outscoring both opponents in the third and fourth quarters. But in each of the first halves, their offense sputtered, not putting up any points.
The defense, on the other hand, has played well. In 2013 and 2014, the Blue Tide gave up 31 points a game, but are allowing 23 points per contest this season.

In 2014, the Yellow Jackets were a much-improved football team over the team that went 1-9 in 2013. Last year, they were good enough to finish 4-6 overall and notch two region wins.

One of those region wins was against Long County, in which the Yellow Jackets stopped the Tide 24-0. Long County had five turnovers. Long County, however, leads the series at 4-3.

Friday’s game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.