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Published Wednesday, November 19, 2008 in Sports
Tift County provides huge test for unbeaten Newnan
By Tommy Camp
The Times-Herald
When Newnan coach Robert Herring calls Tift County a "typical south Georgia football team, he means that in the most complimentary of ways.
That is, the Blue Devils are extremely physical, highly motivated and, in Herring's words, "do what they do very well."
Tift County comes to Newnan Friday for the second round of the state Class AAAAA playoffs.The Blue Devils, 8-3 overall, are the third-seeded team out of Region 1-AAAAA, but lost only to powerhouses Lowndes (28-14) and Northside-Warner Robins (30-14) in region play.
Their other loss was to Brooks County (35-7) which is now 10-1 and playing in the second round of the Class AA playoffs Friday night.
"They don't have any weaknesses," Herring said of Tift County. "They are a senior bunch. They don't do anything fancy. They are just a very good, hard-nosed football team."
Defensively the Blue Devils are led by linebackers Shayon Green and Josh Abbott and down lineman Tabias Walker.
"Abbott is probably the best run linebacker we've faced all year," Herring said. "And Walker is a big, hard-to-block defensive tackle.
"At times their defense reminds us of East Coweta in that they are very aggressive with great linebacker and secondary play."
The Blue Devils' defense rose to the occasion last week in their 24-14 first round win over M.L. King.
M.L.K. was averaging over 250 yards a game on the ground going into the game, but Tift County held them to 52 yards, all by highly-touted running back Mack Brown who had rushed for over 1,300 yards during the regular season.
During the season, Tift held Valdosta to just 10 yards on the ground in its 17-0 win.
The Blue Devils faced some extremely talented running backs this season like Coffee's Melvin Long, Valdosta's Vashon Johnson and Northside's Xavier Bacon, so the Cougars' outstanding offensive line and running back Keandreas Wynn face a major challenge.
"Offensively, they mirror us," Herring continued. "They run the spread."
Quarterback Malcolm Dixon is the most dangerous threat.
He rushed for 119 yards and scored one touchdown against MLK while completing five of nine passes for 62 yards.
"They'll run the ball more than they throw it," the coach said. "But they can throw and throw very well. We'll have to be ready for both phases of their game.
"Their offensive line is on a par with East Coweta's which was the best we saw during the season."
Newnan is healthy coming in.
Leland Russell, injured in the second quarter of the Johnson game, is ready to play.
Only Braland Geter, who broke his leg in the East Coweta game, is out.
"We got through our two days of tough practices without anybody getting hurt," Herring said of Monday and Tuesday's workouts.
"We've approached this week like we do every week. We have to take care of our own business."
Herring is encouraging Newnan fans to turn out in huge numbers.
"If they don't, the Tift County fans will outnumber ours," he said. "We were amazed at the huge crowd they had at the MLK game last Saturday night. They turned out in droves."
Friday's game will mark the ninth time Newnan has faced a 1-AAAAA opponent in the playoffs, but the first time the Cougars have ever played Tift County.
Newnan is 3-5 against teams that are now in 1-AAAAA in the postseason owning 1-0 records against Coffee and Northside, a 1-1 mark against Colquitt County, 0-1 against Valdosta and Houston County and 0-2 against Warner Robins.
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I WOULD HOPE THE MAJORITY OF COWETA COUNTY WOULD COME OUT TO SUPPORT OUR LAST TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS TRU FAN OF HS FOOTBALL GO COUGARS
Posted by NGATER at 12:45 PM
I agree that the fans should be more excited but they have a right to do whatever including just siting there if they want to. The kids are use to that and it hasn't bother them so far. Just like last year Coffee team Tift will bring a big bad team with alot of fans but will receive the same results. Tift winning please not a chance Newnan wins 31-10.
Posted by Swagg 08 at 11:20 PM
To all the fans that will be at the Newnan game, these boys THRIVE on our fans cheering. Every week we continuously hear how much they love our student section in the support that we give them. This support is only going to have to increase significantly Friday night! This game won't be a "walk in the park" so every fan there needs to contribute in cheering on OUR BOYS! This is not only their game, but we are also a big part of this!! Go COUGARS!!!
Posted by Student of NHS at 9:04 PM
COUGAR FANS,if your not going to make some noise Friday Night...then stay home. The visitors will be coming loud and proud, like last week at MLK. How embarrassing that would be.....GO COUGARS !
Posted by Football Watcher at 5:10 PM
I am so proud of NHS! You can do it boys - believe in yourselves,play your heart out and you will WIN! Thanks to the wonderful band, cheerleaders and those great fans that actually cheer. These boys need to hear your support - it does make a difference. We hope that all of Coweta County will come out and support NHS. This is family entertainment at its best! GO COUGARS! Great article too!
Posted by Football Fan! at 11:22 AM
BlueFysh19 go back to bed you are still dreaming. swagg was being sarcastic. it is going to a very very close game. GO COUGARS.
Posted by football watcher at 10:42 AM
Swagg08, You need to make your mind up. Either Tift is great or Newnan is great. Your back and forth stuff is getting annoying. Cheers !!
Posted by BlueFysh19 at 8:41 AM
If you're a fan of high school football fan or if you're just looking for some wholesome entertainment for the family, I highly recommend Friday night's game between Newnan and Tift County. The whole family can get in for about the same price as a movie and the concessions are much cheaper at the game. No need to stop for dinner, there are great hotdogs and burgers at Drake Stadium. There's plenty to see and do. Not only will you see a great football game with very talented players but there will also be very talented cheerleaders with great stunts and a very talented band (including the 'roaming band' for added entertainment). So bundle up, bring the family, and bring some cheers and encouragement for all these great students. And remember, it's not just Cougar Pride, it's also family and community pride. Go Cats! Bring it ALL!!
Posted by H. S. Football Fan at 8:32 AM
Thanks Be To The Lord For Us Making It This Far. The Newnan Men Are On A Mission And With The Help Of The Most High God We Will Continue To Be Winners In This Season. This Game Will Just Get Us Ready For The Next Week Of Football. To Send A Message To All Of The Non-Believers
Posted by Ryant Russell at 6:57 AM
Tift Co fans don't worry about the drive or buying a ticket on the fan bus friday. We forfeit the game you guys are amazing.
Posted by Swagg08 at 6:24 AM
Great article ! Newnan fans and other county supporters be there at 6:00pm. All you people who sit during the game STAY HOME ! only real fans allowed now.
Posted by football watcher at 10:30 PM
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i agree
11/21/2008
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I agree with all the other ones if your not going to make noise dont come cause Newnan is all about noise so lets GO NEWNAN COUGARS!
Posted by Hunter Spradlin at 9:00 PM