TIFTON — Tift County’s air rifle team will compete for the Georgia High School Association state championship Saturday at Fort Benning.

Tift is among 17 teams competing for the honor. The teams range from all classifications and all regions of the state.

The Blue Devils made the state finals after defeating Paulding County in the semifinals, 1,134-1,127. Last year, the team was ninth in the state finals. The top individual finisher in 2016 was Nicole Taylor, who finished 35th of 92 shooters.

Team members this year are Taylor, Jake Moore, Justin Harper, Blake Owens and Christian Dotson.

Pam Taylor, who considers herself the “mom interim coach” (Nicole Taylor is her daughter), said she hopes the lineup will finish in the top 10.

“They certainly have that ability,” she said.

The GHSA said on its website that competition is slated to place from approximately 10:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m..