The Long County High School football team tonight faces an old nemesis as the Blue Tide takes on McIntosh County in Darien.  
The Blue Tide bring a 2-6 overall record and a 1-6 mark in Region 2-AA into the contest. The Buccaneers come in with a 4-4 overall record and a 4-3 region mark. The game is big for both teams, with Long County wanting to pick up their first win against their old foe, while McIntosh County has a chance at securing a playoff spot.
On paper, McIntosh has an advantage on the defensive side of the ball, having allowed only 16 points a game, compared to Long County’s 32 points a night. But on the offensive side of the ball, both teams are pretty evenly matched. The Blue Tide are putting up 17 points per game, while the Bucs are scoring 18. When looking at the state rankings, MaxPreps.com has McIntosh County rated No. 31 and Long County at No. 48 in the AA division. 
In comparing common opponents, the Buccaneers have fared better this year, having beaten Atkinson County, 27-0, Bacon County 19-13, and Toombs County, 27-21. The Blue Tide fell to those three teams 25-18, 21-6 and 34-21. Both teams blew out Jeff Davis: the Tide won, 47-14, and the Bucs won, 31-0.
In the series record, McIntosh County has won nine times against Long County, but in recent years the gap has narrowed with the games being much more competitive than in years past. Last year, Long County lost, 30-19, but the Tide could have won, with late turnovers being a key to their defeat.
One advantage the Blue Tide have tonight is that they are coming off a good win over the Yellow Jackets in which the offense, defense and special teams all played well. On the other hand, the Buccaneers are coming off a disappointing loss to Metter.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. See Sunday’s paper for results of the contest.