The Long County High School football team faces an old nemesis at 7:30 tonight as McIntosh County Academy comes to Ludowici.
The Buccaneers have owned the Blue Tide, having won all eight contests between the teams and outscoring the Tide 367-35.  
This year, McIntosh County comes into the game with an overall record of 6-2, having lost only to 3-AAAAA Glynn Academy (5-3) and undefeated Vidalia, which is ranked as high as No. 2 in some state polls.  The Buccaneers are 6-1 in Region 2-AA and average 31 points a game, which tops the region, and allow
 14 points.  According to MaxPreps, the Buccaneers are No. 17 in Georgia’s AA division.  McIntosh County also comes into tonight’s game riding a six-game winning streak and is coming off a 32-7 win over Metter.
“They’re a tough and physical team,” Blue Tide head coach Ron Flott said. “When they played Vidalia, they made a few mistakes, but if they play 10 times against each other, I figure they both win five games. They are clearly one of the best teams in the state.”  
Long County enters tonight’s contest with an overall record of 4-4 and a Region 2-AA mark of 3-4.  The Tide are averaging 24 points a game and allowing 22.  According to MaxPreps, they are No. 29 in AA after last week’s decisive 48-0 win over Jeff Davis in Hazlehurst.
When comparing stats, McIntosh County appears to have an advantage over Long County, but games against common opponents tell somewhat different tales.  The Bucs defeated Atkinson County, 54-12, while the Blue Tide beat the Rebels, 47-6.  Against Bryan County, McIntosh won, 35-13, while Long County won 20-13.  And the Jeff Davis games were almost identical, as the Buccaneers won, 46-0.  
However, against Toombs County, McIntosh County won, 26-20, while Long County lost, 34-20.
With the playoffs just around the corner, tonight’s region matchup is crucial for Long County.  The game also is the Tide’s final regular-season home game of the year. Seniors from the football team, band and cheerleading squad will be recognized at halftime.