STATESBORO -- The Tift County Blue Devils grabbed momentum by the neck and refused to let it go in Friday's 42-0 win over South Effingham in an Erk Russell Classic contest at Paulson Stadium.

The Blue Devils opened the game with a lengthy scoring drive before thwarting the Mustangs on their initial series by returning a fumble for a touchdown. They followed the scoop-and-score with on onside kick that set up their third touchdown in the first 10 minutes of the season-opening contest.

"We let adversity change the momentum and our mental state," South Effingham coach Donnie Revell said. 

See the Aug. 23 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.