Hughes credits quarterback Bucky Goff, linebacker Darius Dawson and others on that team “for showing us how to win.”

Colquitt went just 5-5 in 1990, losing at Coffee in the final game of the season and being bumped from a playoff berth.

The Packers quick out of the gate in 1991, winning their first five, before being defeated 19-17 by Dothan and 22-9 by Valdosta in successive weeks.

The overtime win over Lowndes followed, but the Packers then lost to Tift County 10-7.

Colquitt defeated Coffee to reach the region playoff game and the five-game gallop through the playoffs began with a stunning 42-13 win over Tift County in Tifton.

The Packers blanked Warner Robins on the road, knocked off Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, then got their second overtime victory of the season, driving 80 yards in the final 3:01 to the winning touchdown to beat Marietta.

Hughes credits Brock with the call on the winning touchdown pass. Hughes faked to fullback Nathan Williams, who was swarmed by the Marietta defense.

Hughes then lofted the ball to Roberts in the end zone, send the Pack home at last.

“I was just praying I didn’t overthrow it or underthrow it,” Hughes remembers.

Hughes completed 22-of-41 passes for 278 yards and the winning touchdown against Marietta.

In the state championship game a week later at home in his final high school game, he hit on 8-of-16 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.

The team had a number of outstanding players, including McCranie, Bright, Nathan Williams, David DeRosso, James Stancil III, Lee Brooks and others.

Hughes says the state championship run “was the highlight of my sports career. We were close-knit. We had played together since ninth grade. We were well-coached. And it was a neat experience for me, with my dad coaching.

“Other than losing the championship game, it could not have played out much better.”

The Packers advanced to championship and lost 17-16 on a LaGrange field goal with 13 seconds remaining at Mack Tharpe Stadium despite having lost three games.