TIFTON — The Berrien High Rebels have shown improvement this season but have suffered at the hands of a brutal Region 1-AA schedule. It doesn’t get any easier for the Rebels this week.
The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane (5-0) is marching to Nashville, and Berrien head coach Ross New may be pulling a few tricks to keep the coach Robby Pruitt’s squad out of town.
“We’re going to put up a road block in Nashville, and try to give them wrong directions,” New joked.
In reality, such tactics may be the best bet for Berrien (2-4). Fitzgerald has been dominant in each of its games this season, blowing out teams 199-22. Fitzgerald has wins over Irwin County (31-6), Randolph-Clay (41-13), Mitchell County (41-0), Dodge County (30-3) and Albany (56-0). Fitzgerald is ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press Georgia high school football poll for Class AA.
Berrien lost to Seminole County 33-14 to start the season then put up two-straight wins over Atkinson County (26-13) and Albany (34-0). Then, the Rebels entered the meat of the Region 1-AA schedule against three of the region’s top teams.
The Rebels lost to Early County (40-10), Thomasville (30-3) and Brooks County (41-0). Now they play the team that is possibly the best team in the region.
Fitzgerald’s offense is simple enough. It uses a bevy of talented running backs and a strong offensive line to run over teams. Fullback Nick Williams leads the Hurricane with 537 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s averaging 9.4 yards per carry. Dion Ross is second on the team with 327 yards and five scores. He’s averaging 10.5 yards per carry.
Larry King (275 yards, 12.5 average), Corey Taylor (187 yards, 10.4 average) and Jemea Thomas (117 yards, 7.8 average) also carry the ball for the Hurricane.
“They’re awesome,” said New. “They’re one of the best teams in the state. It’s death row.”
The coach said his team would need to gang-tackle and try to keep the Hurricane contained.
Offensively, Berrien will run a spread offense that emphasizes the pass. Sophomore quarterback Cameron Jones has passed for 543 yards and two touchdowns with seven interceptions. His top target is Aaron Dobbs who leads the area with 23 catches for 265 yards.
Running back Khalid Lamar has 323 yards and three scores for Berrien. The Rebels have a huge offensive line that relies upon Georgia-commitment Tanner Strickland and senior James Hughes.
“We have to be able to spread the ball and get people out of the box and attack that way,” said New.
Local Sports
Berrien faces tough challenge against Fitzgerald
- Local Sports
-
-
TCHS team is like a family
The Tift County Blue Devils have racked up a 10-game winning streak, a regular season region championship and a ton of momentum since returning from Christmas break.
- Tift swimmers headed for state competition
-
Tift County to host state wrestling sectionals
This Friday and Saturday Tift County High School will play host to the state sectionals for wrestling. Some of the best teams in the state, and country, will be competing for spots in the state meet.
-
Mistakes cost Patriots fourth title
It’s going to be an offseason of what-ifs for the AFC Champions, who lost to the Giants 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
-
Blue Devils win regular season region title
Lady Devils lose 59-48
Blue Devils win 53-43
-
Seniors go out with big wins
Dr. Eric Holland and Julie Conner wanted to send their seniors out with big wins on their senior night.
Boy, did they ever. -
Tift dominates on senior night
Lady Devils win, 52-38
Blue Devils win, 67-57
- Tift basketball program to honor seniors
-
Battle of Georgia goes one more Super round
New England Patriot wide receiver Deion Branch, nursing a bout of the stomach flu, had little to do here in his hotel Tuesday evening.
He decided to reach out and text someone.
“There he goes, texting me and talking junk,” said New York Giants safety Deon Grant. “I expected it. He always does.” -
Busy day for signings in Tiftarea
For fans of college and high school football National Signing Day is an unofficial national holday.
If it is truly a holiday, friends, fans and family joined six local players Wednesday in helping celebrate Wednesday. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
