MOULTRIE — Tift County took away Colquitt County’s big-play makers on Friday at Brodie Field, but the Packers could not hem up their three-year nemesis enabling the Blue Devils to ease their way into playoff contention with a 37-20 Homecoming victory.

Eric Key, Region 1-AAAAA’s leading receiver, touched the ball just once from scrimmage, and although it resulted in a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Michael Harrison, it was far too little output.

True, Key grabbed what appeared to be a 77-yard touchdown pass from Harrison in the second quarter that was called back on a false start.

Had it held up, that touchdown would have broken a 7-7 tie and given the Packers the lead.

Instead, Colquitt punted two plays later, Tift County scored on its next possession and went on to lead 23-7 at the half.

The Packers also were unable to get the ball to receiver Quin Roberson, the region’s second-leading receiver, who did not have a catch.

Meanwhile, Tift County’s Jared Davis numbed the Packers for the third year in row.

Last year, in Tift’s 45-12 victory at Brodie Field, Davis ran a reverse for 17 yards and a first down and caught a pass for 10 yards to set up a field goal.

And two years ago, Davis scored a touchdown on a 12-yard pass from Sean Baxley with 23 seconds remaining in regulation to cap a 15-play, 60-yard drive that tied the game with the Packers 21-21.

The Blue Devils went on to win in overtime 38-35.

All Davis did Friday was grab five passes for 97 and two touchdowns. His final catch, though not as debilitating to the Packers as the two in which he was wide open for scores, was impressive in its way.

The little senior laid out and cradled the Malcolm Dixon pass for a 38-yard gain.

That catch led to a 2-yard Stevan Toomer run that helped Tift turn a possession that started with a Micah McCant interception of a Harrison pass into a touchdown and 20-7 second quarter lead.

Oh, and Davis also returned the second half kickoff 49 yards and had had three punt returns for 23 yards.

The Blue Devils went on to roll up 403 yards of offense, including 145 on the ground by Toomer, and 163 in the air by Dixon.