Decades old Irwin County-Fitzgerald rivalry has brand new region flavor

<p>In one of the oldest rivalries in South Georgia, the Irwin County Indians face No. 2 Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes Friday at Jaycee Stadium.</p><p>The contest will mark the 64th time since 1922 the two teams have met on the football field. Fitzgerald holds a 40-21-2 advantage in the series.</p><p>For the first time in the recent memory, the Canes and the Indians are in the same league, Region 2-AA. However, the contest will not have any meaning in the league standings as Fitzgerald is already set at No. 1, while Irwin will go into the state playoffs as the fourth seed from the league. Fitzgerald is 9-0 while Irwin County comes in at 6-3.</p><p>Even with region implications out the window, both coaches _ Robby Pruitt of Fitzgerald and Jute Wilson of Irwin County _ are still expecting a fierce contest.</p><p>"It will be a good test before the playoffs. It is also a situation that is fun to play in," Pruitt said.</p><p>"Our game has never had playoff implications before so I don't think that plays into it all that much. Not that this game needs anything more on it, but it would add something to the game if it was for a region title or a playoff spot. Regardless of all of that, the intensity from each team will be there," Wilson said.</p><p>Both teams will be led on offense by their running games. Fitzgerald's Nate Inman, Fabian Daniels and Jonathan Roberts, along with Irwin County's Chavarious Carlton and P.J. Florence are among the area leaders in rushing. Carlton leads Irwin with 980 yards on 127 carries, while Inman leads Fitzgerald with 805 yards on 93 carries.</p><p>While both teams are looking forward to the contest, the Hurricanes are still basking in the glow of their 2-AA title. Fitzgerald clinched the crown with a 49-0 win over Jeff Davis last week.</p><p>"It is a good feeling to get the region title. It was a goal at the start of the season and it is a credit to the kids and the coaches that we achieved it," Pruitt said.</p><p>On the other side, Irwin needed a 30-0 victory over Brantley County to clinch the No. 4 spot. Irwin got a big lift as Wallace Mizell was able to come back and play at safety and quarterback after missing time with an injury.</p><p>"Wallace played some last week at safety and a few snaps at quarterback. He is one of our best tacklers and can really cover some ground in the secondary," Wilson said.</p><p>Besides the teams involved, another aspect of the game is that it will be Pruitt's first Irwin-Fitzgerald game since returning as Purple Hurricane coach this year.</p><p>"I stay pretty focused and don't get caught up in the hype. We try to prepare for all of them the same way. It is fun, though, coaching a rivalry game. It is a lot of excitement in the air," said Pruitt.</p><p>Last years game, a 32-29 Fitzgerald win, saw Leo Sanchez kick a last-second field goal to win the game for the Canes.</p><p>"The weapon they have at kicker sure can make a difference as seen in last years last minute field goal," Wilson said.</p><p>"I think Irwin is looking at the game, like we are. We don't want to get anyone hurt as we get ready for the playoffs. The kids will be excited, though, Pruitt said."</p><p>That excitement is evident in both communities, according to Wilson. "The old saying of you can throw the records out the window holds true for this rivalry, it doesn't matter if one of us was 0-9, the game would hold as much meaning to the kids and the community of each school," Wilson said.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/10/158020