Tift defense shines in win

TIFTON -- Reserve place-kicker Calvin Clark booted a 33-yard field goal to lift the Tift County Blue Devils to a scrimmage win over Ware County, 10-7 Friday night at Memorial Stadium in Waycross.

Clark also hit his extra point attempt and put a kickoff in the endzone against the Class AAAA Gators.

The Gators tried to mount a drive in the last minute of the ball game, after a Tift drive stalled with under a minute remaining in the game. The defense, with 10 new starters, turned away Ware's last effort with solid coverage in the secondary, led by senior Micah McCant and freshman Gerald Pledger.

The defense also came away with an interception and a goal line stand against Ware.

Hunter McAllister stuffed Ware quarterback Bryant Hayman in the first quarter on a fourth-down play to give the Tift offense the ball. Midway through the second quarter, Tift running back Jakiel McCray scored on a five-yard run to give the Devils a 7-0 lead. Malcolm Dixon, McCray and McCant had nice runs on the drive to give the Devils an early boost.

Ware tried to answer with a 49-yard field goal by Zach Griffin, but the ball fell short and Tift took over at their own 20-yard line.

On the first play of the second half, Trevin Taylor picked off a Hayman pass and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown, but the score was negated by a penalty and the drive stalled.

The Devils marched inside Ware's 10-yard line before having to settle for Clark's field goal with 7:44 remaining in the game, after two sacks by the Gators pushed the ball back to the 18-yard line.

Once again, the Devils' defense stopped a Gator drive, but caught a break after a muffed punt by DD Jackson.

Ware scored after a 42-yard drive with 4:51 remaining to cut the lead to 10-7.

But the Gators could not convert a fourth-down pass as time expired, giving the Devils a hard-fought win in the Swamp.

"We wanted to build (defensive) confidence," Tift head coach Jay Walls said.

"There were a couple of opportunities for Ware to get on us, but our defense held strong right there and had some big plays. I am proud of their effort."

Bre'nard Williams, Michael Watts and the Tift defense held the Gators to 218 total yards, with 120 coming on the ground. Willie Roach led Ware with 42 yards rushing and 55 yards receiving. Hayman completed nine passes for 98 yards.

Dixon led Tift offensively with 112 yards passing and 54 yards rushing, while McCray ended the night with 47 yards on 12 carries and the second-quarter touchdown.

Tift ended the game with 222 yards of total offense.

The Devils will travel to Roswell on Friday night to take on the Hornets at 7:30 p.m.

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