THOMASVILLE — Thomasville and Fitzgerald have a history of epic battles.

Could another be in store Friday night when the two teams collide in a Region 1-AA showdown?

The last two unbeaten teams in region play will face off in a rematch of last year’s first-round playoff game — one in which Fitzgerald prevailed 28-0.

The Purple Hurricanes were later eliminated in the third round of the playoffs by eventual state runner-up Calhoun.

Fitzgerald’s great play has carried over into 2006, jumping out to a 7-0 start, following last week’s 33-14 rout of previous-region unbeaten Early County.

“They’re a great football team,” Thomasville coach Richie Marsh said, “but to match our philosophy to get better every day, it’s just the next game on the schedule. It’s a region game.

“We’re trying to be better than we were against Mitchell County.”

Thomasville has had an extra week to figure out how to improve upon its 55-14 victory against the Eagles on Oct. 13.

It won’t be easy. Thomasville’s offense accumulated 365 yards with no turnovers. Quarterback Kendrick Dixon completing six of nine passes.

The Bulldogs held the Eagles to 128 yards.

Both Thomasville units will be tested against a Fitzgerald squad that is outscoring opponents 40-5 per game.

With the Bulldogs off last Friday, Marsh was able to watch Fitzgerald dismantle Early County. He came back impressed with both teams.

“Both of them are very good,” said Marsh, whose team ends the season with a road trip to Blakely to face the Bobcats. “Early had their chances to win it. Fitzgerald played a solid game, especially defensively.”

Thomasville owns an 8-4-2 advantage in its series with Fitzgerald, last beating the Purple Hurricanes in 2003 by a 14-7 count.

The Bulldogs again won with defense, forcing three turnovers while limiting the Purple Hurricanes’ potent attack to 138 yards.