Summary of last season:
First year head coach Eric McNair was handed as tough as task as any first year coach in the state of Georgia last season. Region 1-AA had dates against super programs, Vidalia and defending AA state champion Benedictine. Despite some tough losses, McNair’s Blue Tide was able to carve out three wins against Jeff Davis, New Hampstead, and Groves. Playing a tougher schedule last year, gave some of his younger players experience that is going to be important this season, when Long County moves up from Class AA to AAA. Linebacker Jamin Davis, who is verbal to Kentucky, and speedster Tariq Carpenter, being pursued by a number of schools, are going to be two key players in Long County having a great 2016 season.
What is your outlook for this season? “We have a veteran defense lead by two Division 1 athletes. We are moving into highly competitive Region 2-AAA. Looking to have some kids step up on the offensive side of the ball that only returns 3 Starters. We have a veteran-receiving core with a hungry offensive line. If we can manage to make the pieces fit, we could have a very good season,” Long County Head Coach Eric
What has realignment changed this year?
Realignment could potentially be a game changer for the Long County Blue Tide, during the 2016 campaign. Since the Blue Tide is moving to Class AAA, they are able to leave region games against Vidalia and Benedictine on the table.
McNair knows that a senior laden Blue Tide needs to come through this season and the new region should help that.
Big games this year:
For Long County the future is now. The Blue Tide have four non-conference games, before they host AAAAAA-2 Bradwell Institute at home. It will be the first time the two teams have met in a varsity contest.
Week six, Long County starts the AAA-2 schedule hosting Appling County; Long will get a strong test of their athleticism facing Pierce and Liberty County in back-to-back weeks.
