On Friday the Long County High School football team hosted Windsor Forest in a non-region game held in Ludowici. In a very physical outing where both teams played hard, the Knights beat the Blue Tide 25-15.
Long County received the ball first but were unable to move the chains for a first down. The Blue Tide attempted to punt the ball on fourth down, but the Knights blocked the kick. Windsor Forest defensive end Michael Capers picked up the loose ball and ran in for a touchdown. On the extra point attempt, Long County senior Jamin Davis blocked that kick making the score 6-0.
Neither team was able to move the ball on their next offensive possession. Long County got the ball near midfield on their third possession of the night. Mixed with passes and runs the Blue Tide drove to the Windsor Forest four yard line having a first and goal situation. But the Knight defense stepped up and shut down Long County on three straight plays forcing the home team to attempt a field goal. Aron Nevarez booted the 21-yard field goal to make the score 6-3.
On Windsor Forest’s next possession they drove deep into Long County territory and it looked like they were going to score again. But tbe Tide defense, did not break shutting down the drive at their own 5. Long County got the ball back and quarterback Tripp Stapleton dropped back for a pass.
Unable to find any open man, the quarterback was forced to scramble deep in his own end zone. In desperation Stapleton threw a short pass to Deondrae Volcy who also was in the end zone.
Volcey attempted to run, but was tackled for the safety putting the Knights up 8-3. After the ensuing kick the Knights had possession near midfield. With a run-oriented drive, Windsor Forest drove down the field to score on the last play of the half. After a successful extra point conversion the Knights took a 15-3 lead in at the break.
In the second half, Long County head coach Eric McNair decided to make a change at quarterback bringing in Elijah Wright to lead the offense. With the Blue Tide finally moving the ball, Long County drove to their own 35. On a misdirection fake handoff to the tailback, Wright tucked the ball down and broke free for a 65-yard touchdown. After a failed 2-point conversion attempt Long County trailed 15-9.
Trailing 25-9 in the fourth quarter, the Blue Tide Defense made a play to keep Long in the game when cornerback Cody Cox scooped up the ball and raced in for a 50-yard touchdown.
McNair decided to go for the 2-point conversion, but it failed making the score 25-15.
With less than a minute to play the Blue Tide attempted the onside kick, but Windsor Forrest fell on the ball. Showing a lot of class, Knights’ head coach Gregg Busby had his offensive unit take a knee to run the clock out and end the contest.
After the game McNair praised the play of Windsor Forest saying that they played a really good game. But even though he praise the play of the Knights,
McNair also said that his offense made too many mistakes and had to get better
“We’ve got to get better on offense, we turned the ball over three times, gave up a safety, our punt team gave up a score, we just have to get better”, said McNair.
McNair said that he felt his defense played well considering the amount of time that they were on the field.
“The defense played pretty well, we gave up some points, but when you’re on the field for ninety snaps you’re going to give up some points”, said McNair.
With the loss Long County fell to 1-1. This week they travel to Savannah to take on New Hampstead who is 1-3. Pick up a Wednesday paper for a preview on this game.
Go to www.coastalcourier.com for more pictures from the game plus band pictures.)