MOULTRIE — Tift County needs to win Friday night’s game against Colquitt County to qualify for the state playoffs.

And with the Packers 2-7 overall record and 1-4 record in the Region 1-AAAAA standings, one might not blame the Blue Devils if they peek ahead to see who they might have to face in the first round of the playoffs.

Tift County coach Jay Walls does not sound as if that is happening.

“It’s a big game for us,” Walls said Wednesday. “And we are working as hard as we can.

“But we are certainly aware of Colquitt’s ability. They are better than their record. This is a great rivalry and we expect the kids to play real hard.

“This game will be magnified because of the rivalry.”

Walls said he has been especially impressed with the play of Colquitt County linebacker Terry McDaniel and likes how the defense “flies around.”

He also said that while the Colquitt County backs are not big, “they can fly.”

Moultrie/Colquitt County holds a 29-17 advantage over Tift County in the series, dating back to 1964.

The Packers have won six of the last eight, but the two Tift wins in that span were memorable.

The Blue Devils won 35-28 in the final game of the 2002 regular season to keep the Packers from the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

And last year in Moultrie, the Blue Devils pulled off a 38-35 triple overtime victory that gave them the Region 1-AAAAA championship.

Tift County is 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the region and is coming off a 28-17 loss to Lowndes last Friday that gave the Vikings the region championship.

The Blue Devils have had to deal with youth, injuries and a strong schedule this season, Walls said.

“We were young in spots and when you have that you have some inconsistencies,” Walls said. “I think Colquitt County may be going through some of that.