MOULTRIE — The Associated Press high school football poll ranks the top 10 vote-receivers in each classification, then, in paragraph style, lists “others receiving votes.”

Undoubtedly, there were many football fans around the state who never got far enough down this week’s Class AAAAA rankings to note that among those “others receiving votes” were Woodstock, five votes; Martin Luther King Jr., four votes; and Colquitt County, one vote.

The Packers haven’t had much statewide recognition since 2006 when its 5-0 start turned into a 6-4 finish.

Successive 2-8 and 4-6 seasons will do that.

But this year’s 7-1 record that includes a 17-0 victory over Warner Robins last week impressed at least one Associated Press voter.

A few more votes could be added to the tally next week if the Packers can defeat Houston County in the Homecoming and Senior Night game at 7:30 tonight at Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium.

A loss to the Bears, who have not won a Region 1-AAAAA game since 2006, would negate that vote and tarnish what has become a unexpectedly successful season by any standards.

A victory tonight would ensure the Packers their most victories since the 2001 team coached by Mike Singletary went 8-3.

And then the Packers could put their ears back and go after Northside a week from tonight at McConnell-Talbert Stadium in Warner Robins.

Northside is 8-0 overall in the aforementioned Class AAAAA poll.

And 5-0 and in first place in the Region 1-AAAAA standings.

There should not be many vacant seats on the home side stands tonight.

The team’s 24 seniors will be honored and a number of former Packers are sure to make Homecoming scene.

And it could be the final home game of the season for the Packers.

There is still a possibility of the team playing a home playoff game, but that will be determined down the road.

Right now, the Packers will try to put the Homecoming, Senior Night and playoff hoopla behind them and avoid getting upset by the Bears.

It is the kind of game that teams often are guilty of overlooking.

After opening with victories over Groves, Fayette County and Bradwell Institute, Houston County has lost five region games — to Coffee, Northside, Tift County, Warner Robins and Lowndes — by a combined 175-23.

In their last two games, the Bears have lost to Warner Robins 49-0 and Lowndes 35-0.

Many Colquitt County fans will remember Houston County head coach and former Packer Greg Robinson, who will return to Mack Tharpe Stadium for the first time as a coach.

As a Packer, Robinson led the team in passing in 1977-1979, completing 106-of-228 passes for 1,868 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career.

In 1979, he threw for 1,107 yards and was just the third Packer quarterback ever to throw for more than 1,000 yards in a season.

Robinson went into coaching and in 2002 followed John Peacock and took over the Dodge County program.

In six seasons, Robinson posted a 38-27 record and his last three teams made the playoffs.

Each of his last two Dodge County teams went 9-3.

He took over at Houston County last season and his two Bears teams are currently 6-12.

Houston will come to Moultrie with Robert Williams, the player who has led the region in rushing from the first week when he ran for 188 yards and four touchdowns in the victory over Groves.

Williams now has 1,188 yards — an average of 149 yards a game — and 11 touchdowns as the Bears are ranked fourth in rushing offense in the region.

Quarterback Tyler Hall is the team’s second-leading rusher with 258 yards on just 57 carries.

He has run for five touchdowns and a 2-point conversion.

Hall has thrown the ball just 75 times in eight games, completing 26 for 298 yards. He has been intercepted twice, but does not have a touchdown pass.

Kourtney Harris is the Bears leading receiver with 11 catches for 117 yards.

Houston is ranked next-to-last in both passing offense and total offense.

The Bears also are next-to-last in both rushing defense and total defense in the region, but have allowed just 19 completiong in 42 pass attempts for 201 yards and two touchdowns in their five Region 1-AAAA games.

The Packers will try to build on their 17-0 victory over Warner Robins a week ago.

The Packers offense starts with junior quarterback Tyler Brown who leads the region in passing, completing 95-of-153 for 1,358 yards and eight touchdowns. He has been intercepted seven times.

Quin Roberson continues to lead the region in receiving with 33 catches for 521 yards and five scores. Roberson also is tied for third in the region in scoring with 10 touchdowns for 60 points.

Tevin King is fifth in the region in rushing with 628 yards, a 6.9 per carry average, and has nine touchdowns.

The Packers lead the region in passing offense and are third in total offense.

After the shutout of the Demons that followed a 14-7 victory over Valdosta and a 28-10 win over Tift County, the Packers are third in both rushing defense and total defense in the region.

Senior linebacker Willie McCrary continues to lead the Packers in tackles with 40 solo hits and 21 assists for 61 tackles.