The Long County Blue Tide football team continues to make history under the leadership of Mike Pfiester. The team did so again in 2024 as they finished with a school record 7 wins and advanced to their fourth straight playoff appearance. 

On Thursday, December 5, the Region 3-AAA All-Region teams were released and 11 players were named to the teams, with one being named co-defensive player of the year. 

Senior linebacker Kenny Pickens, who has been first team all-region the last two seasons, was named co-defensive player of the year for Region 3-AAA. He did so after another 100-plus tackle season, bringing his career total to 374. 

Those 374 tackles are now a school record as he beats out former Tide star Jamin Davis, who went on play college football with the Kentucky Wildcats and now plays for the Minnesota Vikings. Davis finished his career with 302 tackles. 

Pickens also becomes the first Blue Tide player to have three seasons with over 100 tackles. He led the team with 12 tackles for loss and added a fumble recovery while playing a major role in the team’s success throughout the season. 

The Blue Tide placed three on both the first team and second team as well as six more receiving honorable mention. 

Senior defensive back Chris Hatfield, sophomore running back Jason Familia and senior offensive lineman Jerome Brown were named to the first team. 

Hatfield, who recently signed to continue his career with the University of South Carolina, finished the year with 49 tackles, three pass deflections, and a school record eight interceptions. 

Familia, who came on this year as the main replacement for the graduating Ahmari Douglas, finished the year with a team-high 1,090 yards and 10 touchdowns on 10.09 yards per carry, while adding six receptions for 52 yards and two touchdowns. 

Brown made the first team for the second year in a row after leading the offensive line to 2,500 rushing yards. 

On the second team are senior linebacker Mareon Montgomery, sophomore defensive lineman Isaiah Miller, and senior offensive lineman Wyatt Walters. 

Junior quarterback/linebacker Dylan Tyler, junior running back Cortney Charles, senior defensive back Jaeson Carryl, junior defensive lineman Tyler Gamble, senior defensive lineman Jordan Williams, and senior linebacker Chase Bentley were all given honorable mention. 

Of the 11 who were named to the all-region teams, five will return for the 2025 season.