When me and first-year Long County Blue Tide head football first spoke back in July, all he wanted his new team to do was play hard and make the playoffs.

Three months later, Pfiester’s wish has come true.

When I sat down with Senior ATH Dwayne Rowe after a September practice, while we had a 20-minute conversation as we were the final two people left in Veterans Stadium, he said to me that he wanted to be on the team to put Long County football on the map before he exits.

A month and a half later, Rowe’s wish has come true.

On Oct. 15, the Blue Tide went to Nahunta to face Brantley County with business on their minds: Win and punch your ticket to the playoffs, a place that Long County football has never been.

Until now – They did just that, winning their first region contest since 2015 during the junior year of 2021 NFL Draft first-round selection and Washington Football Team rookie linebacker Jamin Davis along with Eric McNair at head coach. I’m sure Davis sees his alma mater from the nation’s capital and is smiling like a proud father because of their success.

Previously, the Blue Tide were last in their region for five years running.

The Blue Tide are now (4-4, 1-1 Region 1-3A) and I know that the entire town of Ludowici are behind them to see how far they can take their success.

It’s impressive to see Pfiester come in and help a program in just his first season at the helm. He said that he was up for the challenge and wanted to do things his way. And it’s worked.

37 years and 24 teams later. Look at them now.

If you don’t understand the differences of the numbers, it’s because Long County football originally began in 1984 but was discontinued after the 1986 season. Then it returned in 1990 and was stopped again. It came back once more in 2002 and has been a mainstay.

If you’re still confused (I don’t blame you), basically this year’s Blue Tide team is the 24th football team in program history. I guess they had that Mamba Mentality this season.

What a legacy that Team 24 will leave behind and one that Pfiester is beginning for Blue Tide football.

They are the trendsetters. The first. And now, they have the bragging rights over all the program’s teams in saying that they are the best team in history and the first ones to extend their play past the regular season.

I look forward to seeing how the Blue Tide will hold up in the postseason.

Win, lose, or draw – history has been made and it should be celebrated.