Long County High School lost, 27-21, in overtime to Southeast Bulloch on Friday, the second time in as many weeks the Blue Tide nearly pulled out a comeback win.
“This team loves the game of football,” Tide coach Ronald Flott said. “These kids fought their hearts out right up to the end. I’ve never had a group of kids fight any harder for a win than these kids did tonight.”
And again it came down to last-minute heroics. After taking an early 6-0 lead, the host Blue Tide were outscored, 21-7, and trailed by eight with less than two minutes to play.
The Tide responded with a drive that began deep in their own territory and was capped by a 5-yard run from running back Fred Nelson on a lateral from quarterback Jacob White.
After Long County’s first successful two-point conversion was erased by a holding penalty, Turner ran the ball in from the 7 to tie the score, 21-21.
In overtime, it appeared Long County scored, but an official ruled there was no touchdown and gave the ball to Southeast Bulloch. The Yellow Jackets managed to find the end zone for the win.
Flott said the official told him the apparent Long County score was waved off because “we fumbled into the end zone,” he said. “I don’t know, but that’s what the call was.”
Though disappointed, Flott praised the play of SEB.
“Southeast Bulloch is a good football team. They’re going to win some games this year,” he said, noting the Blue Tide also came to play.
 “The whole defense played well in the second half. Jeffery Hall made some big plays for us, but the whole defense played well, too. ... On offense, the offensive line played great for most of the night, and Jacob Turner had an outstanding game.”
The Blue Tide now take on Region 2A-AAAA school Wayne County (1-1).
The game is at 7:30 p.m. in Ludowici.

Go to www.coastalcourier.com to see pictures and video from Friday night’s game.