By Kyle Dean/Sports Editor
TIFTON — After back-to-back games of allowing over 400 yards rushing in two region losses to Warner Robins and Lowndes, the Tift County Blue Devils will brace for another strong rushing team when the Houston County Bears invade Brodie Field tonight at 8 p.m.
The game will be homecoming for a Tift squad that has been outscored 84-7 in its two region losses.
The Bears have rushed for 1,359 yards and 15 touchdowns this season — an average of 271.8 yards per game.
Houston running back Robert Williams leads Region 1-AAAAA with 884 yards rushing on 138 carries and ten touchdowns.
“He is a big kid. They will give him a lot of opportunities and I expect him to get 20-plus carries,” Tift County head coach Jay Walls said.
Tyler Hall is the quarterback in the pro-style offense. The junior has thrown for 160 yards on 11 completions and has also ran for 197 yards and four touchdowns.
Kourtney Harris is the team’s leading receiver with four receptions for 42 yards.
On defense, the Bears will line up in a 4-2 according to Walls, but the head coach also says that Houston could line up in a five-man front.
“They did that to us last year and I am sure we will see it at some point.”
Jalani Phillips is a Division 1 prospect in the secondary who Walls calls “very athletic”.
The senior is second on the team with 37 tackles and he also has one interception. Phillips also serves as the team’s kick and punt returner.
The teams have played each season since 2002 — with the Bears winning three straight from 2002-2004 — while the Blue Devils have won the past four meetings.
It could be the final meeting of the series, as the Houston County schools (Northside, Houston County and Warner Robins) could drop to Class AAA when the new Veterans High opens next fall.
