Tift County football building relationships

Published 11:00 am Monday, May 9, 2022

TIFTON — Noel Dean is finishing up one school year as Tift County’s head football coach. Now, it’s on to year two.

Spring practice began last week. Days before its start, Dean said, “We’re looking forward to getting to work.” After an offseason of strength training and academics, “Now we’re getting excited about a little football, too.”

Dean described the first three games on the 2022 schedule as “really brutal.” After a scrimmage at Lowndes, the Blue Devils host Coffee, then have road games at Dutchtown and Colquitt County.

“It’s going to be really tough on us,” he said, “especially with a really young team.”

On the field in 2021, the Blue Devils posted a 6-5 record, which included their first region victory in 1,100 days. But putting on the pads and advancing a football weren’t the only things Dean’s squad was accomplishing.

Tift County football has introduced the Trident True program, which encompasses mind, body, heart and soul. In addition to the usual goals involving academics and strength, the team is branching out further. The Devils did not just don the uniforms for game; they donned the uniforms for many other events via a major community service program.

To earn the character trident, Dean is requesting at least 30 hours of community service from each player. They have had a wide variety of opportunities to achieve this so far. “We are offering up 100 different hours,” he said.

Dean is also accepting of community service outside the football program. “If they want, they can even write up community service they’re doing at their church,” he said. “But what we’re really trying to focus on is giving back to the community.”

Projects have included reading to elementary school children, helping out with the flag football league and building a porch at the home of a military veteran.

“The best way to become a better person is to serve others,” said Dean.

Farmers for Football is coming up May 25. Even more is coming up during the summer, with more small construction projects. A few other projects are in the works, Dean said.

“We’re excited about building that side of these kids,” he said.

Beyond the tridents and impact on the community, Dean has noted the personal impact on the players.

“They have a lot more invested in the program,” he said. This will carry over to the season: “More of a family unit.”

The reading program allowed the Blue Devils to make impressions on some of their youngest fans. A school was visited each week and the team rotated through all elementary schools in the Tift County system. Dean said they would make five visits to each elementary school, 40 in total.

Additionally, Tift football has wrapped up leadership classes for eighth graders. “Sixteen straight Wednesdays to both middle schools,” he said. Adding in those, 72 visits to students in lower grades featuring players and/or coaches.

Dean said they are forming a bond with younger students. He said he’s had kids approach him while shopping, wanting to talk or even offer a hug.

For more information on the Blue Devils, including Farmers for Football, visit tiftfootball.com.