Omar Fulton was one of the top lifters at last year’s Power Meet.

TIFTON — The strengths of Tift County High’s football team will be on display Thursday afternoon. They will also be up for debate.

Tift County is set to host its annual Power Meet Thursday at Eighth Street Middle School. The competition pits head coach Ashley Anders’ Blue Devils against one another in weightlifting.

The Power Meet is to begin at 2 p.m., with the Eighth Street’s students in attendance for the early portion. Those not already at Eighth Street Middle are requested not to come to the meet until 3:45 p.m. Admission is free.

Space is limited at ESMS and the gym area is very active in the afternoons for students’ dismissal.

“We have to let the buses run,” said Anders.

The competition moved to Eighth Street this year because of construction going on at Tift County High. Eighth Street previously housed the high school.

The Power Meet started in 2012. Its format has remained the same ever since, with lifters participating in squats, bench presses and power cleans. The 100 or so players involved in the competition will be divided into 10 weight classes, though the exact divisions have not been set yet.

Players will compete against those in their weight class and against themselves. As in past years, a bell will be on the floor. Any Blue Devil setting a new personal best will ring the bell after his lift. At the end of competition prizes will be awarded for the top lifter for lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight groups. Plus a top overall lifter will be determined by a power index, which accounts for weight lifted and the size of the athlete doing the lifting.

Coaches serve as judges with players helping out with setting up the events and spotting their fellow Blue Devils.

Squats will start the afternoon, said Anders, with bench press and finally power cleans to follow.

Anders declined to make any predictions on who the top lifters might be.

“I predict a great Power Meet,” he said.

Anders has been particularly excited about the weight tossed around this spring by his players. He said it was the strongest team he’s had. At last year’s meet, several players, including Ricky Perry and Omar Fulton, easily squatted more than 500 pounds.