TIFTON — After a convincing 41-6 win over Randolph-Clay last week to open their Region 1-AA slate, the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes will be on the road Friday to face the Mitchell County Eagles Friday in another league football game.
Mitchell County will be coming off of a bye week. The Eagles are 2-0 on the year with a 43-20 win over Pelham and a 42-0 win over Montgomery County to open the season. The game with Fitzgerald will be the first league game for coach David Ward’s team.
“They are a very athletic team,” Fitzgerald head coach Robby Pruitt said of Mitchell County. “They have good size and speed.”
The Eagles also appear to be very experienced as all 11 starters on offense returned from last season, along with eight returning starters on defense.
Returning quarterback Colin Florence has a number of weapons at his disposal including senior wide receiver Charles Thomas, who runs a 4.45, 40-yard dash.
Running back Kyron Stewart leads the running game for the Eagles.
Defensively, cornerback Kentorious Hazelwood is considered a college prospect. Junior defensive end Antonio Yates is 6-foot-1, 240 pounds and runs a 4.4 40.
“They run a 3-5-3 defense and they blitz all the time,” said Pruitt. “On offense they run a pro-style offense. They use a lot of the I-formation and the power-I.”
While Mitchell County was off, Fitzgerald was getting the big win to open its region slate against Randolph-Clay.
“It is always good to get the first region win,” said Pruitt. “It is the most important.”
Halfback Trenton Pruitt, the head coach’s son, led Fitzgerald as he scored three touchdowns, two on rushes and one on a reception.
“We did play a little better on offense than we did against Irwin County (a 16-0 win to open the season),” said Pruitt. “But we didn’t play as well on defense. We have got to learn how to play good on both sides of the ball.”
One down note from the game against Randolph-Clay was an injury to senior Ward Massee.
“He had a scare with his neck,” said Pruitt. “He did end up with a concussion and he won’t play Friday.”
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