TIFTON — Irwin County’s football is back to a regular schedule this week.

Hurricane Michael kept Irwin students out of school for three days and pushed back its football game and homecoming by one day. Fortunately, it all worked out well for the Indians and head coach Buddy Nobles.

Homecoming was a complete success. Irwin racked up 61 points in three quarters against Lanier County and won by a 61-0 decision. If the football rally against Lanier was not enough, Irwin County rallied for football.

Many players lacked electricity and water in the days after and local boosters came through with meals. The fieldhouse remained open, too, and Nobles said he had a few stop by for showers and hot water.

Now, Irwin can move forward again.

“Back to a normal situation,” said Nobles.

The Indians, now 7-0, will travel to Rochelle to see a Wilcox County (4-3) team that is prime for an upset after almost getting one a week ago.

Charlton County led by 21 points late in the game, but after a pair of Patriots touchdowns, Charlton found itself having to field an onside kick with 10 seconds left to hang on to the win.

“They are very athletic on offense and defense,” he said. That starts at quarterback. Junior Noah Hollingsworth is trusted with running offenses that range from option to single wing. Hollingsworth threw three touchdown passes against Charlton, but video shows him keeping the football a good bit. Nobles said Hollingsworth was “more of a runner.”

Other weapons for Wilcox are Desmond Tisdol and Elijah Howard. Howard had one of the touchdown catches and Tisdol, said Nobles, is “very athletic.”

“He has our respect,” Nobles said. So does the rest of Wilcox.

The Patriots hired a new coach this year, Ken Cofer, a name that should ring some bells for area fans. Cofer spent four seasons at Cook from 2010-13, a tenure that included a 12-0 season in 2010 ended by Buford in the quarterfinals.

Cofer has a history of building very competitive teams and his few months in Wilcox are already paying off. The Patriots were 2-8 last season and have already doubled their wins. They have won over Wilkinson County, Hawkinsville, Lanier County and Telfair County.

Wilcox is in good shape for their first state tournament appearance since 2012. Currently they are 18th in the power ratings. The top 24 teams qualify for the postseason.

“He’s done a good job,” said Nobles.

All was well for Irwin against Lanier, which had a much better experience than when it last played in the midday sun. In September 2016, Hurricane Hermine forced Irwin to a Monday and the end result against Macon County was one Nobles still refers to the “Labor Day Massacre.”

Boosted by homecoming excitement, Indians jumped on Lanier early. By the time the contest ended, Irwin rushed the ball 17 times and hit the end zone on seven of them.

Zach Smith completed eight of 12 pass attempts for 202 yards and two touchdowns. “It was good for him,” Nobles said. The receptions went to Wil Hudson and D.J. Lundy. Lundy touched the football five times and scored on four of them. He ran the ball three times for 89 yards with three touchdowns.

Jay Stanley was similarly successful, with his two runs resulting in two touchdowns. He caught three passes for 75 yards. Jamal Paulk added 60 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Irwin will have only two more regular season games after Wilcox. Senior Night is next week against Atkinson County. The Indians wrap at Turner County on Nov. 2.