Long County’s 7- and 8-year-old All-Star football team advanced to the semi-finals of the district tournament last Thursday without having to take the field.
The team was slated to take on Patterson County, but the visiting team didn’t show up, so the athletes from Ludowici will head to the next round.
"I don’t know for sure what exactly happened, but I was told that they were not coming," said Long County Recreation Director Michelle Crowley. "So with that, our team now takes on Brantley County."
According to Crowley, Brantley defeated Charlton County to advance to the semi-finals. The winner of the Long-Brantley match will play for the district championship.
The 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars didn’t have it quite so easy. They lost to McIntosh County, 32-6. Long County jumped out to a 6-0 lead after quarterback Braden Buhovecky took the pigskin in from the one-yard line on a QB keeper. The short touchdown was set up two plays earlier when Josh Gordon took the ball on a halfback option and connected with receiver Matt Strickland for a 67-yard gain. After the TD, Long County missed the PAT.McIntosh came back, though, scoring 32 points in the second and third quarters. The boys from Long County never quit. They shut McIntosh’s offense down in the fourth period and held them scoreless.
After the game, Long County coach Jamey Jeffers told his team he was happy with the effort.
"I’m very proud of all of you. You never quit, right up to the
final second of the game, and that’s all I can ask of you," he said. "I’m proud to have been able to coach you this year, and hope to see all of you back out here next year."