While the new millennium started with a bit of a fizzle
for
the fans of Tift County football,
2005 felt like the dawn of something more important that
just a new century; it felt like the start of
something really big.
The first five years of the 21st
century saw the Devils finish just 18-33 with one
playoff appearance (and that was a trip to Stars Mill
memorable only for the weather). In 2005, under a brand
new coaching staff, Tift finished the regular season
with seven wins and only three losses. The Devils also
left a 6-3 playoff loss to Stephenson with the feeling
the season ended too soon.
The headline story of the 2005
season was a new coaching staff featuring head coach and
athletic director Jay Walls. Along with offensive
coordinator Keith Gosse and defensive coordinator Ben
Simmons. Walls brought to the Tifton sidelines an
optimism and charisma that is impossible to deny.
When Walls ended his playing
career as a defensive tackle at Valdosta State, the
Blazers named him a permanent team captain. It was that
kind of character and leadership that immediately made a
difference around the fieldhouse.
“We accomplished a lot and reached
some goals, and the first one was a winning season,”
said Walls. “Next, we made the playoffs, and that was
important. Finishing undefeated at home I think was a
big one, too.”
Walls doesn’t hesitate when asked
about keys to the season.
“Without a doubt, our seniors and
their leadership were the key to our success. Even
though we only had 14, they were very strong and led us
in the weight room and during summer workouts before the
season even began,” said Walls.
Tift started only three seniors on
defense, but what a trio it was. All-State, and
all-region free safety Larry Dean, all-region defensive
lineman James Carter, and second team all-region strong
safety Sumner Ellis led a defense that was as feared as
any in the state.
The Devil defense allowed only 76
points in 11 games (6.9 avg.), forced 28 turnovers (14
touchdowns, 14 interceptions) and scored three
touchdowns of its own in addition to one safety.
All three touchdowns came on
returns of fumble recoveries by second team all-region
defensive end Jay Gaskins. Gaskins shared the team lead
in turnovers with four fumble recoveries and an
interception.
Junior linebacker Jeffrey Searcy
was Tift’s third first team all-region selection. He
and Dean shared the team lead in individual tackles with
49, but Dean added, 51 assists, six pass breakups, three
interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Super sophomore Blake Reddick was
third in tackles with 48 and tied Gaskins with five
turnovers. Reddick tied for the team lead in
interceptions with four and recovered a fumble.
Junior Randy Parker was arguably
Tift’s biggest impact player. As a cornerback, he was
tabbed second team all-region with four interceptions,
29 tackles and eight pass breakups. In the kicking
games, Parker was truly Devilish.
Parker blocked a field goal and
two extra point tries, but it was in the return game
that he made headlines. He led the team in punt returns
(12-225, 1 TD) and was second only to Co-Region Player
of the Year Israel Troupe in kickoff returns (10-176, 1
TD).
All-state as just a junior, Troupe
was breathtaking in the return game. He averaged 18.8 a
punt return (14-214) and 18.5 a kickoff return (14-194)
and returned three kicks for touchdowns.
As a receiver, Troupe caught 36
balls for 495 yards (25% of Tift’s total offense) and
three touchdowns despite constant attention and double
teams from opponents. The Devils’ next best receiver
was a running back with less than 170 yards for the
year.
