MOULTRIE — Houston County did nothing as well as turning the ball over on Friday night at Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium and Colquitt County was much obliged.
Houston lost three fumbles and threw three interceptions and the Packers turned two of the turnovers into points in a 21-7 Region 1-AAAAA victory.
The win was the first in the region for the Packers, who ended a three-game losing streak and raised their record to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the region.
The loss was the fifth in a row for the Bears, who fall to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the region.
“This was a big win for us, coming before our off week as we’re getting ready for a big game against Lowndes,” said Packers coach Tim Cokely.
The Packers were able to rush the ball consistently against the sluggish Bears, gaining 199 yards on 48 carries.
Quarter-backs John Michael Harrison and Quin Roberson completed 4-of-10 passes for 37 more yards.
When the Bears were not crippling themselves with turnovers, the Packers were keeping them in check.
Houston did not score until 8:17 was left in the third quarter after Packers had taken a 21-0 lead.
The Bears 99 yards on the ground, but 47 came on Craig Presley’s touchdown run.
Houston quarterback Jeff Thompson completed 9-of-21 passes for 85 yards, but his three interceptions were disastrous.
Two led to Colquitt County touchdowns. The other was picked off in the end zone.
The Packers dominated offensively in the first half, allowing the Bears just 78 total yards, including 13 yards on 16 attempts on the ground.
The Bears threw for 65 yards in the first half, but an interception by Eric Key was returned 77 yards to the Houston County 3 and Travon Littleton scored on the next play.
The Packers scored on their second possession when Dominique Presley took a handoff from quarterback John Michael Harrison, bounced outside and raced 49 yards for the touchdown.
Beau Holden’s conversion put the Packers up 7-0 with 7:21 left in the first quarter.
The Packers got the ball right back when Houston fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and Colquitt recovered on the Bears 23.
But Colquitt managed just six yards and had to turn the ball over on downs.
The Packers also turned the ball over in the quarter, losing a fumble with 2:10 remaining, but Houston could do little with it.
The Bears did not reach Colquitt County territory until four minutes were left in the half.
But three plays later, Key stepped in front of a Thompson pass at the Colquitt 20 and weaved way to the Houston 3 before he was hauled down.
Littleton pounded in on the next play and after Holden’s conversion, the Packers were up 14-0 with 2:01 left in the first half.
Houston got to the Colquitt 31 with 56 seconds left in the half, but a 48-yard field goal attempt by Michael Thompson fell short.
The Packers extended their lead early in the third quarter when Dominique Hunt picked off a Thompson pass and returned it 26 yards to the Houston County 15.
Two plays later, Littleton scored his second touchdown from 4 yards out and Holden converted for a 21-0 Colquitt County lead with 9:37 left in the quarter.
Four plays later, Houston scored its only touchdown, when Presley took a direct snap rounded his right end and went down the sidelines 47 yards for the touchdown.
Michael Thompson’s conversion cut the Packers lead to 21-7 with 8:17 left in the third quarter, but Houston had just four first downs the rest of the way.
The Packers were unable to add to their lead, turning the ball over on downs three times and punting once down the stretch.
Colquitt reached the Houston 15 late in the third quarter, but after sending out the field goal team, Cokely changed his mind and decided to go for it on fourth-and-7.
An incomplete pass was the result, but the Bears cooperated and punted moments later.
“I’m really happy for the kids,” Cokely said. “They’ve really worked hard.
“Coach Chandler and his defense did a good job getting the ball and giving us opportunities to score.”
Presley led the Packers with 97 yards on 12 carries. In addition to the 49-yard touchdown run, he had a 23-yard carry, also in the first quarter.
Also in Region 1-AAAAA on Friday, Coffee defeated Tift County 31-14 in Tifton.
Valdosta will travel to meet Warner Robins on the road tonight.
Local Sports
Packers defeat Houston County
- Local Sports
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Conference champions
The Colquitt County seventh-grade girls basketball team celebrates its South Georgia Athletic Conference championship. The team includes, front, from left, coach Sheila Williams, Za'Nautica Downs, Akia Sutton, Ty'Asia McNeal, Shy Seay; and back, Sydnee Dalton, Shay Stanfill, Kiarra Lovett, Abiyah Spencer, Coach Jon Scroggins, Angel Kinchen, Chyna Calhoun, Michaela Bennefield, Istajhe Johnson, Ashuntee Stewart and Ja'nysia Brown. Not shown, Coach Tamika Seay and Emily Dozier.
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Lady Pack clinches top seed for region tournament
Makeba Ponder’s free throw with 6 seconds remaining gave the Colquitt County girls a 55-48 victory over Lowndes on Tuesday on the William Bryant Court at the Gladys Espy Gymnasium and ensured the Lady Packers would have the top seed in next week’s Region 1-AAAAA tournament at Tift County.
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Rifle team defeats Worth County
The Colquitt County High rifle team remains unbeaten after taking a 1,098-1,082 victory over Worth County on Tuesday in Sylvester.
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Prine shines at Snowflake Invitational
Kenyadah Prine is progressing just fine in her comeback from two frustrating seasons that were marred by injuries. The Lowndes High senior is making the most of her opportunities to return to top form, no matter how big or small the stage.
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Prine shines at Snowflake Invitational
Kenyadah Prine is progressing just fine in her comeback from two frustrating seasons that were marred by injuries. The Lowndes High senior is making the most of her opportunities to return to top form, no matter how big or small the stage.
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Level 3 gymnasts first, Level 4 team second in Thomasville
The Moultrie YMCA MGs headed to Thomasville on January 28 to continue their meet season in the Rose City gymnastics invitational and the Level 3’s took first place and the Level 4’s placed second.
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Register wins region wrestling championship
Travis Register will take an unbeaten record into next weekend’s state sectional after going 2-0 and winning the 220-pound weight class at Saturday’s Region 1-AAAAA wrestling tournament at Lowndes.
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Lady Packers hold off Tift County
The Colquitt County girls basketball team held off a determined Tift County second-half rally on Saturday on the William Bryant Court at the Espy Gymnasium to get a 59-48 Region 1-AAAAA victory.
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Talking it over
The defending Region 1-AAAAA champion Colquitt County High baseball team held an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday at Ike Aultman Field at Packer Park. The Packers are gearing up for their Feb. 21 season-opener against Lawton Chiles of Tallahassee at Packer Park. Packers assistant coach Jake Mobley talks with sophomore pitcher, and little brother, Gabe Mobley during Saturday’s scrimmage.
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Seventh-grade girls win conference championship
The Colquitt County seventh-grade girls’ basketball team claimed the conference championship Saturday, upsetting previously undefeated Coffee, 20-19.
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