TIFTON — Tift County High’s air rifle team is but one step away from the state finals.

Tift defeated Carver of Atlanta last week, 385-351, to move on to the second round. Thursday, they will host Lumpkin County at 5 p.m., with the winner moving on to the finals, which will be held in April at Fort Benning. Thursday’s contest against Lumpkin will be held at the fieldhouse at Eighth Street Middle.

“I like my group a lot,” said head coach Glenn Hudson, who is in his first season as head coach. “They work hard and it’s fun to watch them shoot.”

Hudson’s Blue Devils are young.

“We have one senior, three juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen,” he said. The senior is Christian Dotson.

Lumpkin, the Dahlonega-based third seed, defeated Elbert County in the first round. Hudson does not know much beyond Lumpkin County’s location and team colors. He is more focused on his own squad.

“We’re shooting against ourselves,” he said.

Against Carver, the top shot was Jake Turner. Turner had a score of 290. Behind him were Caitlin Garren at 279, Blake Owens at 276 and Dotson at 270.

Even if Tift falters in against Lumpkin, they still have a shot at the finals. Hudson said the two best scores from losing teams in this round qualify for state.