Soccer plays alumni scrimmages

Published 3:00 pm Tuesday, January 31, 2023

TIFTON — Tift County’s soccer teams found tough opponents to prepare them for the 2023 season: Their former teammates. The Blue Devils and Lady Devils each played a warm-up Jan. 28 at the mini-stadium.

The Devils did not just face former team members, but an All-Star lineup of them. Forwards and defenders were not only loaded with All-Region talent, but had a full bench of substitutes to help out.

Blue Devils’ alumni trickled after play began, deepening the bench even further.

The Lady Devils’ alumni included Morgen Ray, their ultra-athletic goalkeeper who graduated in 2021.

Both head coaches, Sherri Constable and Bobby Earls, enjoyed having the challenge of playing more experienced opponents. It was a reunion for them, too, seeing players they’ve coached.

Tift was scheduled to begin the regular season Jan. 31 at Perry. Their first home game is slated for Feb. 3 against Peach County. The Lady Devils will get started at 5:30 p.m.