Tift County's 1,000-pound and 900-pound powerlifters wear their achievements proudly. Members of the 1,000-pound club are Bryson Reade, Eli Robinson, Abraham Soto and Antonio Gomez. Those earning 900-pound club laurels are Jesus Mendoza, Damion Moate, Tyler Parker, Jermaine Rowell, Mike Taylor, Tyrese Brown, Lee Jackson, Christian Mathis and Gael Acosta. Antavio Pierce, winner of the Iron Squat and Iron Bench awards, is also with the group. Acosta was in class and unable to be present for the photo.

TIFTON — The Tift County Blue Devils are proving the old mantra that only the strong survive. The Devils have been active in the weight room and their efforts are paying off; Several of them are now members of the 900- and 1,000-pound clubs for powerlifting.

Head coach Noel Dean honored those reaching those marks with special T-shirts Jan. 12 at the TCHS gym. Also recognized was Antavio Pierce, who, despite being one of the smallest members of the roster, is pound-for-pound one of the strongest. Pierce achieved Iron Squat and Iron Bench, which not only earned him a one-of-a-kind shirt, but shorts as well.

Dean said that for a player to make Iron Man in either squat or bench, he has to lift at least 1.5 his bodyweight on bench press and twice your weight squatting.

“For a 128-pound kid,,” said Dean, “he benched 195 (pounds), which is one-and-a-half times his body weight and 315, which is more than twice his body weight.”

Players’ best lift in squats, bench press and deadlifts are added together.

While announcing members of the various groups, Dean reminded them, “It’s a journey.”

“Keep showing up and work hard and we are going to be darn good,” he said. The Blue Devils went 6-5 in 2021, winning their first region game in three seasons. Their slate saw them defeat a two-time defending state champion in Irwin County, which almost made it a third straight title before falling to Brooks County in the finals.

Members of the 1,000-pound club are Bryson Reade, Eli Robinson, Abraham Soto and Antonio Gomez. Those earning 900-pound club laurels are Jesus Mendoza, Damion Moate, Tyler Parker, Jermaine Rowell, Mike Taylor, Tyrese Brown, Lee Jackson, Christian Mathis and Gael Acosta.