TIFT COUNTY BLUE DEVILS
Region 1-7A
SCOUTING REPORT : words and photos by Becky Taylor
Tift looks to be a young , hard working team in 2022
TIFTON — Noel Dean ’ s first year with the Tift County was a big one for the Blue Devils . The squad went 6-5 , its first winning record since 2018 and they won their first region football game in 1,100 days over Camden County .
The Devils contended strongly against Marietta in the state 7A tournament , held Lowndes under their average points per game , knocked off a No . 1 and twotime defending state champion ( Irwin County ) and saw only three opponents score more than 17 points against them . How about an encore ? “ We know it ’ s not going to be easy ,” said Dean .
“ We ’ re going to do our best .”
Tift looks to be a young team in 2022 , albeit a very hard working one , according to their coach . They move out of the state ’ s largest classification , 7A , for at least the next two years , but the level of competition will not get any easier in Region 1-6A .
Lee County has earned at least the quarterfinals over the past five seasons , with two state championships . Northside of Warner Robins was a quarterfinalist last year , too . Thomas County Central has former
Damion Moate takes a handoff from Carlton Brannon during Tift ’ s 2022 spring game .
Colquitt County leader Justin Rogers to rebuild its program and Houston County and Veterans bring recent state experience into the conference . “ We ’ re still working ,” Dean said . “ That ’ s all we ’ re doing is working .” Line is one of the younger units . Dean said the group is coming together . Most of the players they will be protecting saw limited action a year ago . Carlton Brannon was backup to Tyler Parker and Jackson Strickland a year ago . The majority of Damion Moate ’ s snaps were for an injured Zach Carter in 2021 against Worth County .
Moate played well in Tift ’ s spring scrimmage at Lowndes , but an even bigger highlight came a few months earlier . Moate won the Region 1-7A wrestling championship at 182 pounds and was an alternate for the state tournament .
“ He ’ s going to be a pretty good player ,” said Dean , adding that he ’ ll have most of the carries , but will have support in the backfield .
Brannon , blessed with a cannon for an arm , has only gotten more comfortable during the summer . “ He ’ s getting better every day ,” Dean said . “ We ’ re excited about his development and his mindset … He ’ s turned into a really good leader .”
Jonta Strozier ( 12 ) gets through two defenders to force a Colquitt County pass last fall .
40 2022 SOUTH GEORGIA FOOTBALL