FITZGERALD – The Tift County Blue Devils and Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane squared off in a spring football game Wednesday night and there was plenty of reasons for the Devils to smile.

Over the course of the evening, Tift outscored Fitzgerald, 36-16. Four players – two freshmen and two varsity – scored touchdowns. The varsity defense totally shut down the Hurricane in their portion.

Wednesday’s scrimmage was divided into three segments: the first quarter was played by freshmen and the second by the junior varsity. Varsity players were on the field for the second half.

Blue Devils head coach Ashley Anders said his squad did not have as much depth this time, but made up for with quality players.

Tift wasn’t at full strength Wednesday.

Anders said Tift was missing several players from the lineup, including Stephen Thomas and Wendell McClain. Both started on defense in 2018. J.D. Bengston played linebacker and fielded punts despite having only a few days to prepare.

The Hurricane had control of the ball first, but soon lost it after Tift forced a fumble.

Weston Clamp came out to engineer this initial drive, which ended successfully.

Clamp hit Jeremiah McKinnon for a 15-yard touchdown at 8:41. Pedro Mendoza kicked the extra point for a quick 7-0 advantage.

McKinnon had a handful of catches for the night. Anders was pleased with what he saw. “He has some wheels,” he said.

Back on offense, Fitzgerald ran into nothing but brick walls. Walter Jackson recorded a sack. Later, a tackle for loss by Bengston forced fourth down.

In the fourth quarter, Jackson had his first opportunity to run the ball; K.D. McCormick had been the primary back during the third. Jackson immediately broke off a 40-yard run into Fitzgerald territory, putting into motion their second scoring drive.

After they got inside the 15, Joe Almond passed to McKinnon to the 1. McCormick finished the drive with a one-yard burst at 7:04. Mendoza again furnished the point-after.

Tyre West recorded a late sack. Ben Brock had quarterback pressures on consecutive plays during the fourth. Anders said he might play on both sides of the ball. Brock lined up at tight end and fullback last year.

Tyler Parker started at quarterback for the Blue Devils during the freshmen segment. Cole Goswick also had snaps under center.

Following a Parker incompletion that started the game, Tift went another course on the second play.

Javon King took a handoff from Parker and sped 70 yards down the Fitzgerald sideline to paydirt. There was no live kicking for the freshmen and every touchdown was followed by a two-point conversion attempt. Parker ran around left end on a keeper and Tift led 8-0 at 11:31.

Fitzgerald tied the game at 9:08 with a 60-yard run and successful conversion.

A Parker pass to Michael Taylor moved the ball to near midfield on the ensuing possession before Tift went to King again. This time, he ran left and scored from 55 yards out at 8:15. King ran for two points for a 16-8 lead.

Ty’Quan Mills took a short screen pass from Parker for a long touchdown at 3:56. A pass for two failed, but the lead ballooned to 22-8. Tift ended up needing it.

Fitzgerald cut it to 22-16 following a 50-yard touchdown run on a reverse play and a two-point conversion at 2:48.

The Hurricane stopped Tift late and started possession near midfield. They drove to the Devils’ 10 with under a minute to play, then were knocked back five yards on a false start penalty.

There, Fitzgerald went to the air, but found C.J. Henley instead. Henley ducked, dodged and tightroped down the sideline on a 95-yard runback, but the score was negated by a penalty.

Tift retained possession of the ball. The freshmen closed with a Hail Mary pass from Parker to Taylor. Taylor made a jumping catch and nearly extended the ball into the end zone, but was ruled down at the 1.

The junior varsity teams fought to a stalemate during the second quarter.

Will Dean threw a long pass to Zach Carter, but only Fitzgerald came close to scoring. The Hurricane drove inside the 5 late, then called timeout to stop the clock.

Fitzgerald was permitted to try a field goal with only a long snapper, holder and kicker on the field, but missed wide left.

Azaria Smith alternated with Dean at quarterback.