THOMASVILLE — His team is 14-0. It’s been ranked No. 1 in Class AAA much of the year.

Still, as Carver-Columbus prepares for the state championship game against Cairo on Saturday, Dell McGee insists his team is not the favorite. In fact, according to McGee, one must wonder how the Tigers will be able to stay on the field with the Syrupmakers.

“We’ve got our hands full,” Carver’s coach said. “I really don’t know how we’re going to fare. They’re one of the best football teams we have played all year. Their quarterback is a dual threat, he can throw the ball well, he can run. They have three real good receivers.

“The defense is very fast.”

McGee was even more complimentary of the Syrupmakers’ running backs, Ronnie Wooten and Reginald Bryant. The two combined for 363 rushing yards in Cairo’s 42-21 win against North Hall in last week’s semifinal game.

“They’ll run over you, they’ll run by you,” McGee added. “You can see when the running backs break free, the offensive line is running right behind those guys. They have speed at every position. That’s going to pose us a problem. We’re not as fast as they are. We’ve got speed as well, but this is definitely the fastest team.”

The Tigers’ asset has been their physical play and helped spur the Region 2 champs past Chamblee in their semifinal game. Carver trailed 24-6 in the fourth quarter before rallying for 20 unanswered points, led by star quarterback Deron Furr and wide receiver Jarmon Fortson.

“The kids showed a lot of heart, a lot of guts,” McGee added. “Everything just kind of worked out perfect those last six minutes. You don’t script the game up like that at all as a coach. I did appreciate those kids fighting and giving everything they had and not losing faith. That goes a long way in telling where their character lies and their intestinal fortitude.”

Added Cairo coach Tom Fallaw: “Obviously, when you’re 14-0 at this time, everybody you get on film is going to look good. They’ve got two Division I kids that have already committed to Auburn. One’s a quarterback (Furr), one’s a receiver (Fortson).

“They also have a running back/tight end/receiver, No. 45. He does some great things for them, and they’re good up front on offense.

“On defense, they’re the biggest team we’re going to face all year. They’re probably the most physical team we’re going to play all year. They’re gifted, athletically. It’s going to be a very tough football game, that’s why they’re 14-0 and playing for the state championship.”

Carver was unstoppable during the regular season, winning its 10 games by an average of 35 points. Only twice did the Tigers allow an opponent to score in double digits and only once did they win a game by single digits. Despite that dominance, which continued into the postseason with a 46-6 victory against Mary Persons and 45-12 win against Monroe, McGee is very wary of the Region 1 champ Syrupmakers.

“We had some tough games on our schedule, but we haven’t faced an opponent that has the amount speed Cairo has and the amount of playmakers Cairo has,” McGee added. “We’re definitely the underdogs in this game even though, I know they’ve got us ranked No. 1. That kind of stuff don’t mean anything, and we’ve been telling our kids that all year.

“I have the utmost respect for Cairo’s football team.”