TIFTON, Ga. — The Tift County Gym Devils are one step away from the state championships.

The two-time state champion Gym Devils will be in action at Dunwoody High this afternoon in the state preliminary. Tift will participate in the afternoon session, which head coach Jodi Roberts said will start at 1 p.m.

Sixteen teams have qualified for the preliminary. Of those schools, Tift County has the fifth best team score. Also participating are Lowndes, Camden County and Colquitt County. West Forsyth, last year’s state champions, are the top-rated school. Buford, winner of tournaments from 2014-16, is second.

“We are ready,” said Roberts. “We are excited.”

The Gym Devils made the preliminary in 2017, but missed out on the state tournament. Roberts thinks they will make the final round this year. The top six team scores advance.

“My prediction is,” she said, “if we stay calm and enjoy ourselves, we’ll be fine.”

There are some worries.

Briana Nelson was injured last week and has been limited. Roberts hopes she will be able to compete on parallel bars.

Nelson and Lexi Cavanaugh, Roberts said, are “strong and confident.” Tift also has plenty of experience with junior Elyssa Roberts, who was the team’s lone qualifier a year ago. She also competed at state in 2016. Coach Roberts said all have provided leadership.

In addition to these gymnasts, Kenslee Ann Webb and Rylee Watson have also been big contributors to the team. Watson was third all-around at the Gym Devil Classic in March.

State competition for individuals and teams will be next Friday at Ola High in McDonough.