The Bears have lost to Northside-Warner Robins 30-0; Berkmar, 20-7; Parkview 17-0, Warner Robins 35-14 and Lowndes 33-7.

The Packers have surrendered 1,957 yards, an average of 326.2 a game.

Both teams must feel their backs are against the region wall, but the Packers should not lack for other motivation.

Colquitt County has not defeated the Bears since Houston County joined the region in 2004.

The Bears won at McConnell-Talbert Stadium 23-19 in 2004, then made it two straight the following season in Moultrie, winning 17-6.

O’Neal and King ran all over the Packers last year in a game that contributed to the Packers missing the playoffs for just the second time since 1990.

The only other time the two schools met was in 1998 in the second round of the state playoffs.

The Packers eliminated the Bears 27-7 that night in Moultrie.

Doug Johnson was the Bears coach that night and was the only head coach the program had since its beginning in 1991 before resigning in July, citing health reasons.

In 16 years as Houston County’ head coach Johnson posted a record of 98-79-1.

George Collins, who had been on Johnson’s staff since 2000, was named interim head coach and athletic director.

Collins was an all-state tackle and was an All-American guard at Georgia.

He played five years in the National Football League and two more in the USFL.

He has been an assistant at Valdosta State and Tennessee-Chattanooga and also had a six-year run as the head coach at Perry, posting a 20-40 record.