Around the state

By Andy Johnston

For the AJC

Albany State (8-2)

Next game: vs. West Alabama (7-4), 1 p.m. Saturday

Albany State will be shooting for its first Division II playoff victory since 2004 when the Rams host West Alabama, which upset then-No. 1 North Alabama last week to sneak into the playoffs. Albany State has lost five consecutive playoff games since defeating Arkansas Tech in 2004 and is 2-10 in the postseason. ... Albany State struggled down the stretch, going 2-2, including a 32-29 overtime victory over Clark Atlanta, which finished 3-7. ... The Rams are No. 20 in the Division II coaches poll and No. 21 in the media poll.

Georgia Southern (4-5, 3-3 Southern)

Next game: vs. Furman (4-5, 3-3), 2 p.m. Saturday

Georgia Southern, which is 3-0 at Paulson Stadium this year, needs to win its final two games -- both of which are at home -- to reach last year’s six wins. The Eagles haven’t won eight games in a season since 2005 and nine games since 2004. ... School officials are calling for a “Blue Out” in Saturday’s homecoming game against Furman. ... RB Brandon (Hancock Central) scored his first TD for Georgia Southern in Saturday’s 31-10 loss at Samford. Freshman Darius Eubanks (Thomson) made his first career interception.

Savannah State (2-6)

Next game: vs. Webber International (3-6), 5 p.m. Saturday

Savannah State was off last week, while Webber International, a NAIA program, defeated Southern Virginia 24-17. The Warriors have won three of their past four games. ... Savannah State RB Justin Babb (Westlake) has a shot of rushing for 1,000 yards this season. He has 766 yards with two games remaining after rushing for 167 against Edward Waters two weeks ago. Babb has passed last year’s total of 644.

Other state schools

* Shorter FB A.J. Cooley (Bowdon) is the NAIA national offensive player of the week after rushing for a school-record 254 yards in a 55-42 victory over Belhaven. He has 1,310 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Hawks (6-4), who conclude their season by hosting Bethel (5-5) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

* LaGrange (5-4), which will finish its season at Greenville (Ill.) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, took a step back this season after going 9-2 and reaching the playoffs last year. Nick Langley (Stockbridge), who has 33 catches, Stephen Tuck (Albany), who has 32, and Devin Billings, who has 31, are LaGrange’s leading receivers this season.

* GMC (5-4) lost to Erie Community College 13-10 last week despite RB Tobias Palmer rushing for 150 yards and a touchdown. The Bulldogs finish their season by hosting Lackawanna College at 1 p.m. Saturday.