TIFTON — Two Tift County Blue Devils earned first All-Region recognition as awards were announced this week.

Sophomore wide receiver Dai’jon Hayes earned first team at that position while senior Jaden Nelson was a first team safety.

Nelson was Tift’s most versatile player this season, mainly a defensive star, but also figuring into the offensive mix. He returned an interception for a touchdown in the Blue Devils’ opening game against Griffin and his MaxPreps stats show 37 total tackles, 28 of them solo. He had two total picks and forced two fumbles.

Besides his defensive stats, Nelson caught six passes and ran for one touchdown. He had a handful of kickoff and punt returns.

Hayes caught six touchdown passes this year and had 690 receiving yards, second most in Region 1-6A. He also had the second most catches.

His numbers only trailed Elyiss Williams of Camden, considered, a four-star Georgia commit that Rivals considers the No. 1 tight end prospect in America.

For winning region, Colquitt County’s Sean Calhoun earned Coach of the Year recognition. The Packers also had Special Teams Player of the Year in Brett Fitzgerald.

Co-Region Player of the Year went to Marvis Parrish of Lowndes and Todd Robinson of Valdosta. Richmond Hill’s Lee Johnson was Defensive Player of the Year and Camden County  had two big awards, Athlete of the Year (David Coleman) and Offensive Player of the Year (Williams).

Several other Blue Devils merited second team and honorable mention for 2024 in Region 1-6A.

Four Tift players were picked on the offense side on second team: Damieon Dixon (quarterback), Kamari Holloman (running back), Kaden Lawson (tight end) and Ogunlana Nuga (offensive line).

Five more were defensive selections: Cnardarian Walker (defensive line), Danny Freeman, Shurrod Rich and McKenzie Graham (linebackers) and Royal Scott (cornerback).

Earning honorable mention were Davieon Dixon (RB), Vandorian Simmons (WR) and Matthew Layfield (ILB).