The challenges keep getting tougher for the Escambia County Blue Devils as they make their way through the post season.

The No. 7 Blue Devils have won their area championship and most recently their sub-region game against the Jackson Aggies, which places them in the semifinals of the South Region at the Mitchell Center at the University of South Alabama on Friday.

The Blue Devils will face their toughest test yet with their match up coming against the No. 2 Andalusia Bulldogs (30-2) led by the legendary head coach Richard Robertson who recently recorded his 700th victory.

Blue Devils head coach Anthony Hayes did acknowledge the level of competition his team is playing saying it will be tough.

“He’s a legend,” he said. “They will be well coached, disciplined and ready to play basketball. It’ll be a challenge, but at this point of the season every game should be a challenge.”

Even with a top team and coach in their future, the Blue Devils are handling this week as they would any other, with practice.

For Hayes and his team, nothing is changing for them except their opponent.

He said they will continue their style of play because it works for them.

“We are sticking to our plan,” Hayes said. “We believe in it and it has gotten us this far, so we are going to keep it in place. We are going to go to Mobile and get a win.”

Andalusia head coach Richard Robertson said his team has been working since Friday to be ready.

“What we’ve been doing since Friday night, we’ve been working on Andalusia,” Robertson said. “We’ve been working on things we’ve been trying to do. We’ve played 32 ball games, and you’re going to stick with the plan that’s gotten you where you are. What we’re going to do is work on what we can do to get better.”

With Hayes’ team now one of 16 teams left in Class 4A, Hayes wants the support they have seen to continue as long as they are still playing.

He said he wants the community to stand behind his team because they are doing something special.

“All I ask everyone is that they come out and support our team,” Hayes said. “It’s special what they are doing and I want everyone to come out to Mobile and get behind them.”

The Blue Devils and the Bulldogs tip off at 1:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Center at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.