TIFTON — The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes will be trying a new role Friday night.

Coach Robby Pruitt’s team will be hoping to be a speed bump to the Dodge County Indians when the two teams meet in a football game that will have statewide implications.

Fitzgerald will enter the game ranked fifth in the state Class AA Associated Press poll, while the Indians are ranked sixth in the same poll.

Dodge is one of the hottest teams in South Georgia. The Indians are averaging 50.7 points per game this year, and are only allowing an average of 10.7.

This past Friday, the Indians rolled over Class AAA Crisp County, 55-14.

In that contest, Dodge was actually down early 7-0, but rolled off 28 unanswered points.

Cameo Holloway led the way for the Indians. He had 16 carries for 128 yards rushing. He scored three touchdowns rushing and also had one touchdown return on an interception from his linebacker spot.

Charles Gordon had 81 yards rushing on 12 carries as Dodge put up 307 yards on 37 carries against Crisp.

Dodge will be tested against Fitzgerald as the Hurricanes have only allowed 27 yards rushing in three games on 64 carries.

If Fitzgerald can stop the run, the Hurricanes could be in good shape. Gordon only attempted three passes in the entire Crisp game. His one completion was to Scottie Whitten for 20 yards.

Defensively, Dodge held Crisp to -28 yards rushing on 24 carries. The Cougars did throw for 140 yards, but most of that came after the game was decided.

Dodge’s rush defense will be put to a test Friday as Fitzgerald has rushed for 862 yards in three games, an average of 287.3 yards per contest.

Leading the way for the Hurricanes has been Jemea Thomas, who has 215 yards on just 19 carries.

Three other runners also have over 100 yards on the year. Nick Williams has rushed 30 times for 166 yards. Larry King has 141 yards on 24 carries and Trenton Pruitt has rushed for 135 yards on 16 carries.

Fitzgerald has also shown some balance as quarterback Brad Taylor has thrown for 207 yards. He has four touchdown passes and only one interception on the year.