It had been more than two years since the Long County High School football team celebrated a regular-season win. On Friday, that losing streak ended as the Blue Tide beat Lanier County, 30-6, in Ludowici.
The Tide jumped out to a 22-0 first-half lead. In the second half, Long County extended that lead to 30-0 with another touchdown and stout defensive play.
In that half, head coach Ron Flott played much of his team. The Bulldogs scored a late touchdown to keep from being shutout.
Scoring for the Tide was Josh Berry who had 14 points, two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion, and Fred Nelson and Vanda Vareen, who both had a touchdown and 2-point conversion.
After the game Flott praised his whole team.
“Everybody played well, it was a team effort, and I’m proud of everyone.
“I’m real pleased with our defense, once again they were able to get 11 hats to the football, the offensive line also played a good game, like I said everybody did good,” the coach said.
The victory was the first for Flott as the Tide head coach. He said he hopes the team can build off of it.
“It felt great to get it,” he said. “Last year we went 0-10 and we wanted to build character from that season. It’s awfully good to know already that we won’t have to go through another season like that.
“The win also reflects how much the community has helped us, from the two-a-days during the summer and the booster club feeding the team, to everything else it’s been a community effort”.
With the win, the Tide go to 1-0 for the season while Lanier County falls to 1-1. The Blue Tide will has its first region game this Friday in Savannah against the Benedictine Cadets who are also 1-0. Friday’s Coastal Courier will preview that game.