The Long County Blue Tide football team have worked hard all offseason and they are finally ready to take the field. They will host the 5A South Effingham Mustangs on Friday, Aug. 23 in what seems to be an interesting matchup for both teams.

Last year, the game between the Blue Tide and Mustangs was rained out in early August. However, due to GHSA regulations stating teams must play games to completion or face a hefty fine, the Tide traveled back to Guyton the next Saturday morning to play in some wicked heat; the Tide lost 35-0.

That game set the tone for the Blue Tide as they went on to lose all 10 games that season and finishing 0-10 for the second straight season all while dropping their losing streak to 25 games. However, third-year Tide coach JT Pollock feels confident in his team going into the season.

“I believe we have a good core group of guys that could make a difference for us against South Effingham,” Pollock said.

The team is led by a large group of seniors, including quarterback Dominic Roschmann and talented defensive back Treyon Davis, who currently has three offers to play football at the collegiate level including one to Division I Stetson University. This talented group should be able to finally pull the Blue Tide into the win column going into the season.

The Blue Tide have not won a game since the 2016 season when the team went 1-6-2 in one of the strangest football seasons in team history. That is also the last time they began the season 1-0, so to say the Blue Tide is itching for a win would certainly be an understatement.

Kickoff for Friday’s game at Veterans’ Stadium in Ludowici is set for 7:30 p.m.