News & Announcements

TFS Pit Vipers break records in season opener

The TFS Pit Vipers started their 2023 season out strong with a record-breaking event at Coolray Field in Gwinnett

109 total teams from all over the country (and one team from Australia) converged in Lawrenceville, GA to open the 2023 BBQ Season. The event was to raise funds for the Home of Hope Children's Shelters of Gwinnett.

The Pit Vipers finished 3rd Overall, including 2nd in Chicken, 6th in Pork, and 8th in Ribs. According to Head Pitmaster Tom Tilley, the 177.7 score (out of 180) for chicken was the highest score in Pit Vipers history. The team totaled 522 points, marking the second-highest point total in the club's history.

“Our overall score was a 522, which was good enough to keep the Pit Vipers at a #1 ranking in the backyard division," says TIlley.

“It was great cooking on behalf of the kids,” adds junior Brooke Hayes. 

The Pit Vipers team include sophomores Jay Taylor of London, England, Teyrk Tilley of Tallulah Falls, Jake Owensby of Cornelia, Jackson Carlan of Baldwin, and Lily Turpin of Demorest; and juniors Brooke Hayes of Cornelia, Marc Crotta of Cornelia, and Matthew Wolfe of Clarkesville.

Next up for the Pit Vipers is the Boogie & Blues Festival in Calhoun, GA on April 28-29. The TFS Pit Vipers are the two-time defending champions in this festival.