Going into Friday’s game against Brantley County, the Long County High School football players knew they’d have their hands full.

Even though the Herons had lost two games in a row — to Charlton County and Appling counties — the Blue Tide didn’t underestimate Brantley.

In Friday’s contest, the Herons got on the board first, going up 7-0. After the kickoff, the Tide started on their own 20-yard line.

Long County drove down the field with a mix of runs and passes and, with the ball at the Brantley County 6-yard line, quarterback Jake Durham ran in for the score. A PAT by Miguel Hernandez tied the score.

After the first touchdown, though, the Blue Tide couldn’t get their game in order. When they were able to move the ball, mistakes and turnovers ended the drives.

Brantley County took advantage of the Tide’s mistakes and miscues to put up 40 more points for a final score of 47-7.

The Tide did move the ball some on the offense. They were led on the ground by Marcus Williams, who had 13 carries for 72 yards, and in the air by Jermaine Gibbs, who had four catches for 46 yards.

With the loss, the Tide fell to 0-9. They have one game left this season.

On Friday, the Blue Tide will take on the Bears in Blackshear. Long County’s past two seasons have ended in losses to the Bears; both defeats robbed the Tide of .500 seasons. This year, it’s not a .500 season on the line, but a winless season.

For a preview of the Long County-Pierce County game, see Friday’s Courier.