Local Sports
Branch, Rebels look to remain unbeaten
TIFTON — Last week in Lakeland, the Berrien High Rebels overcame six turnovers to defeat Lanier County, 16-10 at Roquemore Stadium. This week, the Rebels will have to take on the Irwin County Indians, who are coming off a huge win in Homerville over Clinch County — the first win in the series since for the Indians.
“That was a big win for them, and their community,” Berrien head coach Ryan Branch said.
When reflecting on his team’s win on Friday, the Berrien head coach said that the team played “as poorly as a football team could for three quarters.”
Branch added, “But we stood up, played through it and showed a lot of heart.”
Sophomore quarterback Kal Simmons hooked up with Tre Harris for a 25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give the Rebels the victory over the Bulldogs.
It was the second touchdown pass of the night for Simmons, who found Asa Adkins earlier in the game. Simmons has thrown five touchdowns in two games, and has impressed Branch so far this season.
“For a sophomore with only JV experience last year, we have been very happy with his progression. We expect him to make mistakes because of his inexperience, but he has always rebounded nicely after making a mistake,” Branch said.
In Adkins, Simmons has a go-to player at wide receiver.
“Asa can play receiver in college if he takes care of business in the classroom,” Branch said. “He is a ‘ball go-getter.’”
T.J. Miller has also helped the young quarterback, after rushing for 93 yards in the season opener against Atkinson County and “over 100 yards” against the Bulldogs last week.
“I believe that is the first time Berrien has had a 100-yard rusher in the last four seasons,” Branch said.
“T.J. is the leader of our football team.”
Branch says Irwin looks good on film and knows the Indians “will be gunning for the Rebels” tonight in Nashville.
“We had a couple of big plays last year (in a Berrien 13-9 win), so it is going to be a great rematch,” Branch said.
“They are running the wing-T and some spread, but I think coach Gamble likes the wing-T. They are fast and the running backs can run right by you. Irwin is always tough, although, not overly fancy. On defense, their linebackers are good — I had a chance to work with them at the Georgia Southern camp.”
Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m.
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Shiloh coming to town Friday
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Tift County will enter with a 1-1 record, while Shiloh will come in at 0-1.
Shiloh fell by a 24-6 score last Saturday at Newton County.
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‘Good win’ for the Blue Devils
The work of a high school football coach never ends. Tift County High Blue Devil Head Football Coach Jay Walls could not take long to celebrate his team’s 34-7 win over Locust Grove Friday night.
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Panthers lose opener, 25-21
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Home sweet home for the Devils
Home was never so sweet for the Tift County Blue Devils football team as it was Friday night. A week after falling 40-26 at Fitzgerald, the Devils returned to the friendly confines of Brodie Field Friday night. Led by freshman Tadric Jackson’s 220 yards of combined offense, the Devils thrilled the home crowd with a 34-7 win over the visiting Locust Grove High Wildcats.
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