By Wayne Grandy

wayne.grandy@gaflnews.com

MOULTRIE — Just two years ago, the Colquitt County High football team finished 2-8 and the school system went searching for a new head coach.

Just 19 games later, the Packers are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2005, have a shot at Region 1-AAAAA championship or, short of that, a chance to finish second and play host to a state playoff game.

Not unexpectedly, Packers coach Rush Propst made sure people realize that the season is not complete – not by a long shot.

“There is still a lot of football left to play,” he said moments after the Packers, now 8-1, defeated Houston County 35-10 on Friday at Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium.

“I think winning our eighth game is special. But we’ve got to get ready for next week.

“We need to think about playing for a possible region championship. And our mindset has to be playing six more weeks.”

On Sept. 18, after the Packers 31-6 loss to Lowndes in the region opener, having a shot at the Region 1-AAAAA championship seemed like a long, long shot.

But five straight region victories and Warner Robins’ 21-20 win over Northside on Friday has means if the Packers can defeat the Eagles on Friday they can be no worse than second in the region.

A win over Northside coupled with a Warner Robins win over Lowndes gives the Packers an improbable region championship.

Propst is no stranger to being in this position. He led his Hoover (Ala.) High teams to five state championships.

The Packers have reversed their region record from a year ago. This time in 2008, Colquitt was 1-5 in the region and had been outscored in those six games 229-121.

Now 5-1, Colquitt has outscored those same five opponents 131-79. In the last four region games, the Packers have given up just 27 points.