Published 12:03 pm Monday, August 17, 2026 TIFTON – The action begins for keeps this weekend in Georgia High School Association football. The Tift County Blue Devils play their first game of the 2026 season Friday as hosts to Luella High School. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. under Brodie Field’s new lights. The Blue Devils, remaining in Class 6A, but in a new region (2) and with a different cast of conference mates, won’t have face Colquitt County, Lowndes or Valdosta on their schedule for the first time since 1961 — long enough ago that Omega still had a high school and Tifton High was in Class AA. Tift does have a brief history with Luella, two games played over 2014-15, both wins for the Devils. Both contests were played at Brodie Field. Led by second-year head coach Will Richardson, the Lions are coming off a 4-6 season. Wins for the Henry County team came over Commerce, Starr’s Mill, Riverdale and Mount Zion (Jonesboro). They also lost narrow games to North Clayton and Cedar Grove. In Region 3-5A, Luella went 2-4. The Devils outscored Bainbridge 10-7 in an Aug. 7 scrimmage at Brodie Field. Dai’jon Hayes caught a deflected Ty Roberts pass for Tift’s lone touchdown. Two defensive plays snuffed two potential Bearcats drives. Arman Carter came up with a fumble recovery and Tyler Merrill picked off a Bainbridge overthrow. Roberts takes over full-time under center this season as last year’s starting quarterback, Damieon Dixon, moves to safety. Previous seasons saw Roberts amass…
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