Tift gets Hess back for Valdosta game

MOULTRIE — Tift County will get all-state running back Kaream Hess back tonight.

And not a minute too soon.

Hess, who has missed the last two games with a broken hand, will return to the lineup when the Blue Devils travel to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium tonight to meet Valdosta.

Tift County (3-1, 0-0) rolled up 805 yards of offense in the last two games – a 41-7 victory over Americus-Sumter County and a 32-13 loss to Thomas County Central – but will welcome Hess back in time for the start of the Region 1-AAAAA schedule.

The Blue Devils were off last week, giving Hess some extra time to heal from the broken hand, suffered the Monday before the Americus-Sumter County game.

Hess had rushed for 234 yards in the Blue Devils first two games.

However, Tift is likely to be without starting quarterback Nick Prostko, who suffered an injured shoulder against Thomas County Central. Prostko has completed 47-of-80 passes for 546 yards.

Versatile sophomore Malcom Dixon will get the start at quarterback. He has completed 11-of-24 passes for 120 yards, caught six passes and rushed 13 times for 72 yards in the first four games.

Valdosta is coming off a region-opening 24-6 victory over Colquitt County. The Wildcats have rushed for 924 yards and passes for 512 while rolling to a 4-1 record.

Lowndes (4-1, 1-0) will put its four-game winning streak on the line when it travels to McConnell-Talbert Stadium to meet Houston County tonight.

The Vikings are coming off a convincing 42-13 victory over a Coffee team that went into the game with a 4-0 record and ranked No. 2 in Class AAAAA.

Lowndes climbed to No. 5 in Class AAAAA with the victory, in which the Vikings scored the first three times they had the ball and rolled up 355 yards on the ground.

The Vikings will unleash a formidable rushing attack that includes Darriett Perry, who had 123 yards on just 11 carries against Coffee, Greg Reid, Jerry Postell and quarterback Khary Franklin.

Houston County is 1-4 and 0-1 in the region after losing 35-14 to city rival Warner Robins last week.

The Bears have scored just 31 points in their five games. Against the Demons, Bears quarterback Jeff Thompson completed 13-of-24 passes for 216 yards, but suffered five interceptions.

Warner Robins ran for 332 yards to win its second straight game.

The Demons, now 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the region, are off this week.

One of the state’s most interesting games will be played tonight at West Thomas Stadium in Cairo where the Syrupmakers, 4-0 and ranked No. 6 in Class AAA, will play host to Thomas County Central, 5-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA.

The Yellow Jackets, coming off a 48-34 victory over Monroe, are averaging 306 yards on the ground and 45 points a game.

Cairo, which blanked Matanzas (Fla.) 46-0 last week, is allowing just 119.yards and 8.2 points a game.

Also tonight, Dougherty (2-1) will be at Americus-Sumter County (4-1); Lee County (1-4) will go to Worth County (1-3); Thomasville (3-2) will be at Cook (3-1); Albany (0-5) will go to Fitzgerald (4-0); Mitchell County (2-2) will go to Randolph-Clay (2-2); Brooks County (1-4) will go to Berrien County (2-3); and Dodge County (3-1) will go to East Laurens (2-3).