Blue Devils do battle with TCC at homecoming

Oct. 8—TIFTON — For nearly three quarters Friday, Oct. 7, the Tift County Blue Devils gave the No. 7 Thomas County Central all they wanted and more at Brodie Field. The score was perhaps a surprising 7-7 and the Yellow Jackets were struggling to cover much ground.

Unfortunately, a late surge by Thomas County Central saw two quick touchdowns in 15 seconds in the 3rd period and they began to pull away for a 42-7 homecoming victory to improve their record to 7-0 for the year.

It was supposed to be a runaway for the visitors and looked headed in that direction when they only needed five plays to cover 60 yards on their opening possession. But Tift's offensive line opened some big gaps and the Blue Devils had the Jackets on their heels. The defense locked down, too, and TCC, which came in scoring 42 points per game, was now in a mire.

A punt ended TCC's second drive after three plays. The Jackets were moving again on the third drive, but when Sam Brown made a throw for the end zone, Za'Morian Brown snatched it instead at the 5.

Tift had two 1st quarter turnovers, but both times the defense held firm. Landon Jones had a big tackle in the backfield early in the 2nd period to halt another potential Yellow Jackets' advance.

Thomas County Central initially stopped the Devils on their first drive in the 2nd, but got a little too greedy.

Antonio Gomez got off the punt at his own 36, then took a blow from the Yellow Jackets. That resulted in a flag and an automatic first down for the roughing call.

With renewed energy on the second change, the Blue Devils began taking advantage of what their offensive line was offering.

Antavio Pierce picked up a first at the 43. Damion Moate delivered one of his patented punishing runs, causing TCC defenders to bounce off before they finally got him down at the 12. A sideline penalty knocked Tift back five yards temporarily. They got most of that back on a Carlton Brannon pass to Tyler Parker, then it became the Moate show again.

Moate ran three straight times, rushing around right end on the third and stumbling into the end zone from 8 yards out at 5:14. Gomez kick the point-after, tying the score at 7-7.

TCC went on a long drive after the ensuing kickoff. The Yellow Jackets initially thought they score on a reception by Trey Brenton, but a block in the back was called at the 1. Tift held firm, making a tackle after a short run and forcing an incompletion.

The field goal unit came on to try a 27-yard attempt. It sailed wide left. Twenty-seven seconds were left in the half, but the Devils decided not to take a risk, kneeling on it to head to the locker rooms with the tie.

Neither team was able to do much with the ball for the first three possessions of the 2nd half. Thomas County Central got its speed game going again later in the period, with its quick snaps and quicker cuts.

On a 12-yard run, Brenton was knocked out of bounds one foot short of goal. Ricky Fulton burst in on the next play. Campbell Smith's second of six extra points put the Jackets ahead 14-7 at 4:32.

All of Thomas County Central's pent-up scoring machine then came tumbling out.

At 4:17, Dezmond Jones picked up a fumble at the 4 and dove into the end zone to expand the advantage to 21-7.

Tyler Floyd caught a 10-yard pass from Brown at 1:38 for TCC's third touchdown of the period. On the first snap of the 4th, Kendarius Reddick jumped a receiver's route at the Tift 49, taking it back all the way.

Brenton scored the game's final touchdown at 5:41 in the 4th, tightroping his own sideline on a 23-yard run.

Moate ran 26 times for an unofficial 122 yards and a touchdown. Brannon completed six passes on the night, four to Parker for 31 yards. Ahmadre Woods had the other two receptions, going for 10 yards.

The Blue Devils (1-6) now go into their second and final bye week of the regular season. When they return, it will be for a home game against Veterans Oct. 21. The Warhawks (4-3) felt the wrath of Lee County last Friday, 43-7. They will also be off this week.