STATESBORO -- The Long County Blue Tide football team will see several members advance to the Lee Murray State Weightlifting Championships on Saturday, March 12. On Friday, Feb. 25, six members qualified while five earned medals and three won their weight class at the GACA Regional Competition in Statesboro.

Seniors Josiah Ansorena-Smith, Tony Phillips and Patrick Wilson all won the 151-160 lb. class, 181-190 lb. class, and 246-up pound class respectively. Senior Jayson Mack and sophomore Steven Quintero were medalists in the 206-225 lb. class and the 161-170 lb. class while junior Jaevion Felton also qualified in the 141-150 lb. class.

Wilson, who did not play football for the Tide this past season, racked up the overall second highest combined weight total between bench press, power clean and squat.

Those six will now advance to the state meet in Jefferson on Saturday, March 12. Head football coach Mike Pfiester was excited to share the news on social media Friday.

“@LongCoFootball had a GREAT day at the GACA Regional Wt. Lifting meet today!”

Since his arrival last February, Pfiester has stressed the importance of improving in the weight room and has drilled in the mantra of improving “five pounds at a time.”

This is the first time the Tide has competed in a weightlifting meet in over five years.