THOMASVILLE — Thomasville vs. Fitzgerald: When these two teams have meet, something of extra importance is usually on the line.

A region championship was decided in 2002 when Thomasville topped Fitzgerald 17-14 on a last-second field goal by Alex Feinberg. Four years ago, with Fitzgerald playing in Region 2, the teams met in the first round of the Class AA playoffs and the Purple Hurricanes won 28-0. Even in last year’s season finale, with Brooks County already captured the region title, a home playoff game was decided when Thomasville won 21-15. The drama will continue tonight.

The Region 1 championship and, for Fitzgerald, an unbeaten season, will be on the line when the two teams collide at Jaycee Stadium.

“We’ve played them every year and, even when they weren’t in the region, we (met) in the playoffs,” Bulldogs head coach Marsh said. “It’s just that it’s happened that way.

“It’s an opportunity that we’re excited about and we need to use it to get better.”

Thomasville owns a 10-5-2 advantage in the series history. Since 2000, though, each team has won four times.

“Two good programs, and Fitzgerald’s as good a program as you’ll find in (Class) AA ball,” Thomasville radio announcer Darrell Allen said. “Three years ago when we went to Fitzgerald, we got behind early when we snapped a punt twice over the punter’s head. Late in the ballgame, when we drive down with a chance to win the ball game, we bogged down at the 14-yard line. That was a close ball game. We come back here two years ago, when we won region, I think we kind of dominated them that year. Last year, that ball game was back and forth, back and forth. That’s kind of the way it’s been.”

This is Robby Pruitt’s ninth season at Fitzgerald. During that span, he has coached against Thomasville seven times, posting a 4-3 record. However, the Bulldogs have won the last two in the series.

“I think they’ve probably got more talent than they’ve ever had since I’ve been playing them,” Pruitt said. “I don’t know how Richie feels about it, but I wish it wasn’t the last game. You have a chance to get beat up before the playoffs. Being last like this, it’s going to determine who wins (the title). Last year, I think it was going to determine who the region runner-up was. It’s always been a big game. It seems like most of the games in our region are big games because everybody plays to beat you.

“Thomasville, going in (this season), I thought they’d be the best team in our region.”

Thomasville has won its last seven on the road in the regular season. However, it has lost its last two at Fitzgerald. The two teams enter tonight’s showdown with similar region results. Both are 6-0. Thomasville has outscored region opponents 212-29, with Fitzgerald posting a 262-55 mark. That should create an exciting finish tonight.

“It should be a good, old-fashioned backyard brawl,” Thomasville defensive coordinator Lamar Landing said.