SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — Effingham County coach John Ford believes in the old saying that teams improve the most between the first and second games.
Heading into Friday’s matchup with Tift County at Rebel Field, Ford had a laundry list of things to clean up, including red-zone penalties and the big ones — two missed extra-point kicks in a 22-21 season-opening loss to Richmond Hill.
“We have things to improve on, but we can’t bank on (Tift County) being stagnant. They’ll be better too,” Ford said.
Battle-tested program
The Blue Devils were pretty good in a 41-0 season-opening victory over Luella, and few will be fooled by their 3-7 record in 2025. Tift played in one of the toughest regions in the state, competing against Valdosta, Lowndes, Colquitt County, Richmond Hill and Camden County. The Devils also picked up Lee County and Houston County as non-region foes.
Apparently, the Georgia Bulldogs weren’t available.
This year, the Devils dropped down a classification. Now they line up against defending Class 5A state champion Thomas County Central, which also won the title in 2023; Lee County, the 2017 and 2018 champion; Northside, the 2014 champion; and Coffee, the 2023 champion in a lower classification.
“Their program has been battle-tested, that goes without saying,” Ford said.
And Tift coach Jeff Littleton knows what it takes to win big. He led Bainbridge to a Class 5A state title in 2018.
The Devils played well in their season opener against Luella, a Class 4A school that was simply overmatched. The Lions finished with minus-82 rushing yards.
Offensively for Tift, quarterback Ty Roberts threw for 117 yards and two touchdown passes, while running back JiShaun Robinson ran for 120 yards and two scores.
Kicker David Olguin booted 44- and 22-yard field goals.
Rebel firepower
Effingham (0-1) counters with one of its most highly touted teams. Offensive lineman Jordan Dillon has committed to Georgia Tech, while linebacker/defensive back Jernard Albright is committed to Florida State.
Wide receiver Trayvis Hunter, the younger brother of Heisman Trophy winner and Jacksonville Jaguars standout Travis Hunter, leads a trio of talented receivers.
The Rebels are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Richmond Hill. Running back Jmere Doe-Davis scored on a 66-yard run with 2:06 to play, but the extra-point attempt was blocked.
Doe-Davis ran for 148 yards and also caught a touchdown pass. Sophomore quarterback Matthew Dillon threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns in his Rebel debut.
Early test
Friday’s matchup might seem unusual for schools 166 miles apart. Tift and Effingham have met only twice. In 1990, Tift won 22-21 in Tifton. In 1991, the Rebels rolled 22-6.
But the matchup fits Ford’s philosophy of playing a tough schedule early. In 2024 and 2025, he opened with Houston County.
“I like playing good teams to start the season, and with the PSR (postseason rankings), it’s even more important,” he said. “I believe if you want to win (postseason) games in November, you have to get used to the physicality and toughness of the Houston Countys and Richmond Hills.”
