Its time to believe in the Tigers.

The Dawson County varsity football squad has qualified for the State Playoffs for the first time since 2004 and achieved the programs first winning record in the regular season since going 7-3 in 2005.

It all comes down to a matchup with Region 6-AAA Champion St. Pius X this Friday as the Tigers hope to extend their dream season.

The Golden Lions (8-2) are coming off a 2011 campaign in which they made the Class AAA Elite 8, and have been a fixture in the playoffs for several years.

Dawson County (6-4) comes into the first round State Playoff game as the number four seed after a fourth place finish in the competitive Region 7-AAA.

The Tigers feature a more prolific offense, having scored 35 points per game, as opposed to 31 PPG by the Golden Lions.

However, defense is the strong point for a St. Pius X team that has allowed just 11 points per game this season, while the Tigers are allowing 22 PPG.

But in recent weeks, both teams have built momentum with two-straight wins apiece.

Dawson County made sure it held on to the number four seed in the playoffs with a win over Fannin County, followed by a 42-13 thumping of West Hall last week.

After the Golden Lions secured their Region Championship with a tough win over Blessed Trinity, they kept things going with a 47-0 defeat of Decatur.

The Tigers will kickoff versus St. Pius X at 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Atlanta.

Pre-sale tickets are available at the high school for $10 each and can be purchased during lunches (11:15 a.m.-1 p.m.) each day.