The Long County High School football team on Thursday began its summer camp program. The camp will run through Tuesday with regular practices continuing into the season. Blue Tide head coach Ron Flott said the camp follows summer conditioning, during which athletes proved their dedication to ensuring a successful season.
“Man, our summer program went great — about as well as it could go. We averaged about 45 kids a day coming out and they had a great work ethic,” Flott said.     
The coach said he expects camp to go just as well as the summer program, and he hopes all of those positive aspects will carry over into the season.
“Let me tell you something, I enjoy working with this group of kids. They do what you tell them to do. They always have a great attitude, and there aren’t any egos out there. It’s a team atmosphere and that’s going to carry over into the season,” Flott said.
Last year, Long County enjoyed its best season in school history, going 5-5. Though the Blue Tide lost several key players from its team, several starters are returning this year. Region 2-AA all-region safety Vanda Vereen Jr. will get some time on the defensive side of the ball, and he will lead the Tide offense as the quarterback. All-region outside linebacker Nick Stock also returns this year, along with defensive linemen Mathew Holtz and Armonda Toledo, who were named to the all-region second team.
With the return of all-region players Evan Strickland, Cody Smiley and Randall Behrendt, the offensive line should be one of the Blue Tide’s biggest strengths.
On Friday, the offense and defense have an inter-squad scrimmage. On Aug. 16, the team travels to Montgomery County to scrimmage the Eagles, and Long County’s first regular game of the season is Aug. 30 in Lanier County, where they’ll play the Bulldogs.