Traveling to Hazlehurst on Friday, the Long County football team had plans of notching its first Region 2-AA win of the year. However, the night did not go as planned as the Blue Tide fell to Jeff Davis, 24-0.
Both teams’ defenses played well early, with neither school able to move the ball. On the Blue Tide’s second possession, with the ball near midfield, they fumbled away to Jeff Davis at the Yellow Jackets 46-yard line.
On the Yellow Jackets’ first play from scrimmage, their running back broke through the line and looked like he was off to the races, but Long County’s Jamin Davis made a touchdown-saving tackle at the Blue Tide 34. However, the Yellow Jackets methodically moved the ball downfield afterward, with running back Justin Kight punching the ball in from the 3-yard line. After a failed point-after attempt, the home team led, 6-0.
With the rain starting to fall during Long County’s next possession, the Blue Tide were forced to punt, with Jeff Davis taking over at its own 38. Driven by two big runs by Kight, the Yellow Jackets had the ball deep in Long County territory. However, the Blue Tide defense stepped it up, holding the host team to a field goal.
With the rain coming down hard, Jeff Davis kicked off, and the ball came down near the Long County 25. The ball stuck in the wet field, and the Blue Tide return man attempted to
pick it up instead of falling on it. A swarm of Yellow Jackets hit him, resulting in another turnover deep in Long County territory. However, the Blue Tide defense rose to the challenge, forcing the Yellow Jackets to punt.
Long County got the ball back inside its own 10, but fumbled again on its first play, and Jeff Davis recovered at the 15. The Blue Tide defense was stout once again, keeping the Yellow Jackets out of the end zone. The Yellow Jackets’ field-goal went wide left, keeping the score 9-0.
Taking over possession at its own 20, Long County finally began to move the ball. With several big runs, the Tide marched down the field. But the drive stalled and Jeff Davis took the ball back at its own 20.
The Blue Tide defense once again came up with a big play, forcing a Jeff Davis fumble and recovering at the Yellow Jackets 23. Long County marched to the Yellow Jacket 5, but was unable to score as the half came to a close.
In the second half, the Long County offense continued to struggle, fumbling away the ball twice more. Though the Blue Tide continued to play well defensively, they wore down as the game went on. The home team scored two more touchdowns to seal the victory.
With the loss, Long County fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the 2-AA standings, while Jeff Davis improved their records to 3-1 and 1-0.
On Friday, the Blue Tide are on the road again, traveling over to Alma to face Bacon County (1-3). A preview will appear online and in Friday’s Courier.