Chris Hatfield has been an integral part of the Long County Blue Tide football team over the last three years. When goes off to Columbia, South Carolina to join the University of South Carolina football team, he will leave a special legacy behind at Long County.

Hatfield now holds the distinction of being the only Blue Tide player to be named all-state first team, earning the honor for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Class AAA selections.

Hatfield joins a list of players that includes current Minnesota Viking Jamin Davis and current Tide running back coach Brendon Scott and Tide basketball coach Ricky Rivera as players to be named all-state. However, those former players were named honorable mention and Hatfield is the first to be named to the first team.

Hatfield had a historic career for the Blue Tide as he helped the team to 19 total wins and three playoff appearances the last three seasons. With Hatfield leading the defense, the team posted its best season as they won seven games and allowed just 156 total points during the season, both team records.

During his career, Hatfield racked up 112 tackles, seven pass breakups and 11 interceptions. Eight of those interceptions came during the 2024 season and broke a single season record for the Blue Tide.

Hatfield will now move on to his collegiate career. In December, he signed his national letter of intent to play for the Gamecocks, becoming just the third Blue Tide player to sign a scholarship with a Power 4 Division 1 program.