TIFTON — Tift County wrestling moves into the first step of the postseason Saturday, as the Blue Devils head to Camden County to participate in the traditional area tournament.

In contrast to the team tournaments held earlier this month, the traditional area competition sees individual wrestlers qualify for the next round. Tift’s whole group participated at state when the squad qualified for the team tournament.

Tough squads from Camden County, Lowndes and Colquitt County await Tift head coach Shawn Watson, but he’s already been dealing with another opponent this week: the flu.

Three wrestlers were out earlier this week and he hoped to have everyone cleared for Saturday. Weigh-ins will be at 11 a.m.

Fortunately for the Devils, as long as a wrestler makes it to the mat, he will qualify for the sectional tournament, which will be held next week at Lowndes.

“You’re kind of in control of your seeding,” said Watson. “I’m hoping we can surprise some people.”

Even with a handful of veterans, Watson stressed, “We’re young.”

He thinks this will be beneficial for the future. Many underclassmen have gotten plenty of mat time, plus, he said, there was a great middle school crew coming up next year.

Watson knew who most of his starters would be for area, though some slots were up for grabs in wrestle-offs.

At 106 pounds will be Caleb Barber, with Quay Goldsborough at 113. Alex Cain is to wrestle at 120, with Cody Waldschlager at 26, Braden Wilbanks at 132 and Gary Coleman at 138.

Angel Calles has wrestled at 145 pounds, but had been scheduled to face either Malcolm Melton or Bailey Parrish in a wrestle-off for the spot. The 152-pound division also had a wrestle-off planned between Garrett Westberry and Luis Eason.

Bronson Lott is at 160 pounds, with Rod Redding at 170 (“Hopefully, he’ll be good to go,” said Watson). Gerald Coney will wrestle at 182 pounds, Garrett Sumner at 195, Brodie Cooper at 220 and Keyshawn Jones at heavyweight. Cooper is another wrestler who has been under the weather.

All weight classes were able to qualify for sectionals a year ago. Wilbanks, Waldschlager, Lott, Coleman, Redding, Coney and Cooper all wrestled for that squad, with Wilbanks, Waldschlager, Lott, Redding and Coney all eventually qualifying for state.