ATLANTA (AP) — Although they have to share, Tift County climbs back to No. 1 after more than eight years out in The Associated Press high school football poll.

Since winning the state Class AAAA championship in 1983, the Blue Devils were only ranked No. 1 one time, which came for two weeks in 1998. However, this time they share the top spot with fellow a Region 1-AAAAA member, the Colquitt County Packers. The previous leader — Roswell — falls to No. 7 after losing to unranked Wheeler 14-3 while No. 3 Norcross and No. 4 Camden County move up one position. Campbell’s off week made way for their exit and made room for South Cobb to enter at No. 10.

“We have go out now and prove we deserve it,” Tift head coach Jay Walls said. “But we haven’t even won a region game yet.”

Walls was also high on Colquitt.

“Colquitt is a great team,” Walls said. “Right now I would have to say they are even a little bit better than us, because they have a region win over a very good Valdosta team. That win said a lot for Colquitt, because Valdosta is a strong team.”

The Packers will have the top spot in the poll for the first time since being ranked No. 1 for six weeks in 1996.

Coming off a 17-15 loss at Colquitt, Valdosta is the opponent Tift County will welcome to Brodie Field Friday night when the Devils open their Region 1-AAAAA schedule. Tift was the only region team not in action this past Friday.

Class A welcomes Emanuel County Institute as the new No. 1 as Bowdon relinquishes the position after losing to Heard County 37-27. No. 9 Athens Academy enters the poll helped by Social Circle’s exit after being ranked for only one week. Jumping a couple of notches, No. 3 Dooly County rounds out the top three.

No. 9 Manchester and No. 10 Heard County represent the new additions to the Class AA rankings after losses by Dodge County and Laney forced them out. No. 3 Dublin moves up one while Charlton County and Buford continue at No. 1 and 2.

The top four remain in Class AAAA with No. 5 Dalton and No. 6 Baldwin trading places. Creekside enters the ranks at No. 8 facilitated by Tucker’s bye week exit.

LaGrange continues as the only unanimous No. 1 and a flip-flop by No. 9 Cairo and No. 10 Catersville represents the singular change in Class AAA.

STEVE CARTER column

Please keep a copy of today's paper for future reference

I found out around 11 a.m. Monday the Tift County Blue Devils and the Colquitt County Packers would be tied for first in this week’s Associated Press Class AAAAA football poll.