elbert football

The Elbert County football team held spring practice last week to prepare for the 2026 football season. The Blue Devils went 5-7 last season, beating Oglethorpe in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Gordon Lee in a close 17-12 loss in the next round. This will be the team's second season under head coach Andy Dyer. (Photos by Bo Underwood)

The Elbert County football team held spring practice last week to prepare for the 2026 football season. The Blue Devils went 5-7 last season, beating Oglethorpe in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Gordon Lee in a close 17-12 loss in the next round. This will be the team's second season under head coach Andy Dyer. (Photos by Bo Underwood)

D.K. Winn puts his South Carolina State hat on after signing with the Bulldogs February 11, 2026. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

D.K. Winn puts his South Carolina State hat on after signing with the Bulldogs February 11, 2026. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

Elbert County's D.K. Winn aiming to leave his mark at S.C. State

When D.K. Winn stood up at the table and triumphantly bellowed “Go Dogs!” after officially signing with South Carolina State to play football on Feb. 11, it marked the culmination of his Elbert County football journey, and the start of another in Orangeburg.
Petey Allen (30) stiff-arms a defender in Elbert’s 24-7 playoff win over Oglethorpe on Nov. 14. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

Petey Allen (30) stiff-arms a defender in Elbert’s 24-7 playoff win over Oglethorpe on Nov. 14. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

Blue Devils take down Oglethorpe in first round of GHSA State Playoffs

The Elbert County Blue Devils are moving on. Elbert defeated Oglethorpe 24-7 Friday night in the Granite Bowl in the first round of the GHSA state playoffs. The Blue Devils dominated on the ground and dictated the pace of the game all night, rushing for 269 yards as a team.
The Elbert County football team runs through the banner before their homecoming game against Oglethorpe on Sept. 19. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

The Elbert County football team runs through the banner before their homecoming game against Oglethorpe on Sept. 19. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

Rematch: Blue Devils welcome Oglethorpe for first round of GHSA State Playoffs

They say it’s hard to beat the same team twice. That’ll be the task for the Elbert County Blue Devils on Friday when they welcome the Oglethorpe County Patriots back to the Granite Bowl for the first round of the state playoffs at 7:30 p.m. The Blue Devils hosted Oglethorpe back on Sept.
Tyler Turman carries the ball in Elbert’s 48-14 loss to Athens Academy on Oct. 17. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

Tyler Turman carries the ball in Elbert’s 48-14 loss to Athens Academy on Oct. 17. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

What are Elbert football’s playoff chances?

The Elbert County Blue Devils are fighting for their 13th straight state playoff appearance this year, currently standing at 4-5 entering their final regular season game against Rabun County.
Lincoln Blackmon (2) sacks the quarterback in Elbert County's 48-14 loss to Athens Academy on Oct. 17. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

Lincoln Blackmon (2) sacks the quarterback in Elbert County's 48-14 loss to Athens Academy on Oct. 17. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

Elbert County football overmatched by ACAD

Elbert football wasn’t able to keep up with Athens Academy on Friday night in a 48-14 road loss. Things got off to a fast start for both teams, but the Blue Devils’ offense eventually ran out of gas while the Spartans kept rolling.
Jerrell Sims (left) returns a fumble for a touchdown on the opening play of Elbert’s game at Banks County on Oct. 10. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

Jerrell Sims (left) returns a fumble for a touchdown on the opening play of Elbert’s game at Banks County on Oct. 10. (Photo by Bo Underwood)

Blue Devils blow past Banks for 45-0 victory

It’s rare to see a football game where the very first snap is a perfect microcosm for the rest of the night.