We tell you everything you need to know about the 2024 Tift County High School football team in this preview, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Blue Devils this season.
2023 Stats
- Overall Record: 2-8
- Points Scored: 147
- Points Allowed: 360
Key Losses
The Blue Devils will look to replace starting quarterback Chris Martin, who is now at Alcorn State University.
Another part of the Tift County offensive unit from last year who will be missed is running back Damion Moate. He rushed for 1,002 yards on 213 carries with six rushing touchdowns in 2023.
Wide receiver Taylan Morrow has graduated, and his production at receiver will be missed. He finished 2023 with 32 receptions for 603 yards and six touchdowns.
Tift County will miss the services of cornerback Zamorian Brown, who ends his Blue Devils career with 13 interceptions and 113 tackles as one of the leaders of the defensive unit.
Who’s Back
Returning to the 2024 Tift County offense are junior running backs Kamari Holloman and Shurrod Rich and sophomore wide receiver Dai’jon Hayes.
Returning to give the Blue Devils leadership and experience up front is senior right guard Joseph Forehand.
More experience returns on defense, including senior free safety Jaden Nelson. He had two interceptions in 2023.
Joining Nelson in the defensive backfield are senior cornerback Ahmadre Woods and junior strong safety Bryan Melton. Last year Woods tallied 26 tackles plus a QB sack, and Melton had 38 tackles and an interception.
Senior linebacker Danny Freeman is back. In 2023 he had 42 tackles, including six tackles for loss with a sack, and an interception returned for a TD.
What to Expect
Most fans and observers of Tift County football expect new head coach Jeff Littleton to eventually get the Blue Devils back to their winning ways, but it may take a year or two to accomplish that. Littleton is a proven coach who led Bainbridge to a stunning state championship in 2018. Given time, he’ll right the ship at Tift County.
The offense will be young, but the defense returns a good bit of experience in 2024. A good defense is always a good thing.
“We will raise our standards through our core values of pride, toughness, effort, motivation, and trust,” Littleton said about his expectations coming into the Tift County job. “We will also look to control what we can and expect to compete at the highest level of competition.”
Prediction
A 5-5 overall record while returning to the former Region 1-7A will be a step in the right direction for the Blue Devils.
Game to Watch
Littleton takes his new team to visit his former Bainbridge Bearcats team on Sept. 6.
