Wayne Grandy
MOULTRIE — It is obvious that the Colquitt County High football staff wants to get the ball in the hands of versatile Quin Roberson as many times and in as many ways as possible this season.
Already No. 5 on the Packers all-time receiving list, he is perhaps the best pass catcher in Region 1-AAAAA.
He also leads the team in punts returns — with an average of 24.4 yards a return — and is second in kickoff returns.
He takes snaps in the Packers version of the Wildcat formation and has, in recent weeks, become the team’s designated touchdown-scorer when Colquitt gets inside the 5-yard line.
Think the 6-foot, 180-pounder has any problem with the extra workload?
“Whatever the coach wants me to do, I’ll do,” Roberson said following Wednesday’s practice.
“Hey, he’s the guy with the rings on his fingers.”
Like most of the rest of the seniors, Roberson has been part of a Colquitt County program that went 2-8 two years ago and 4-6 last fall.
In 2008 he eased into the Rush Propst spread offense and led Region 1-AAAAA with 40 catches.
He is on pace to surpass that total when the Packers travel to Warner Robins on Friday to meet Northside.
He is again leading the region with 38 catches for 610 yards and after scoring on two short runs in the 35-10 victory over Houston County last Friday, he leads the region with 12 touchdowns and 72 points.
If Roberson can continue to produce on Friday, the Packers will stand a better chance of pulling an upset and perhaps winning a region title.
“I think we can,” Roberson said, sounding confident, but without a hint of cockiness. “Coach said there are 10 or 11 teams that can win it ( a state championship).
“I think we’re one of them.”
Colquitt County linebackers coach Darius Dawson has compared Roberson favorably to former Packer Sherard Reynolds, who had a fine high school career and went on to become an All-American at Valdosta State.
Neither possess what would be considered breakaway speed, but neither appears capable of being tracked down.
A case in point: On the second play of the game against Coffee, Roberson took a short pass from quarterback Tyler Brown, split the secondary and headed upfield.
He appeared in no hurry, but no one in the Trojans secondary gained on him and 71 yards later he was in the end zone.
It was also against the Trojans that Roberson returned three punts for 110 yards and a kickoff for 35.
So far this season, he has caught 38 passes for 610 yards, rushed from scrimmage 34 times for 71 yards, completed 4-of-13 passes for 74 yards, returned six punts for 137 yards and returned seven kickoffs for 200 yards.
And Brown has looked for him often the last five games as the two have connected 28 times for 420 yards.
So far this season, he has not been off the field for many offensive snaps.
“They take of me,” he said of his offensive teammates, showing he is no worse for the wear.
Although established as one of the region’s top athletes coming into the season, Roberson said there was still work to be done.
“I’ve been working harder in the weight room,” he said. “And I’ve been learning to understand film, not just watch it.”
Roberson said working with offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Jeff Hammond, himself a receiver at Troy State, has helped him sharpen his game.
With 80 catches, Roberson trails Chris McCranie by just one catch and Sharone Roberts by three in the Packers career reception list.
Carlos Johnson, who caught 98 between 1994-1996, is the all-time leader and with a long playoff run, Roberson could chase the school record.
But right now, he is thinking about the Northside defense.
“They are very disciplined and a good, fundamental team,” Roberson said. “They are not flashy.
“And a fundamental team is hard to beat.”
And Roberson agrees with Hammond that the offense has not yet played its best game.
“This could be our breakout,” he said. “This could be our breakout game on offense.”
