Wayne Grandy
MOULTRIE — When Colquitt County football coach Rush Propst decided to take his team to Atlanta the day before tonight’s state playoff game against Stephenson, he said it was to ensure his team was well-rested before its meeting with the unbeaten Jaguars.
The time away from family and friends before today’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Hallford Stadium in Clarkston also may help the Packers focus on what they have to do against what may be the most talented team in the Class AAAAA playoffs.
Propst said he understands that as many as 15 Jaguars have been offered scholarships to play at some level next year. And several of those are likely to end up at Division I schools.
Running back Raymond Sanders, who has rushed for more than 2,700 yards the last two seasons, has committed to Kentucky. He, Kentucky-bound tight end Ronnie Shields, wide receiver Nathan Bedford — with his 4.3 speed — and junior quarterback Jason Tarver lead an offense that has averages 39 points a game.
The Packers defense has been outstanding itself of late and has not given up a touchdown in its last seven quarters.
What Colquitt County will have to do tonight is find a way to get through, around or over a Stephenson defense that has given up just 54 points in 11 games this season.
“We are going to have to steal some points somewhere,” Propst said. “Maybe steal some on special teams.”
The Packers are in the second round of the playoffs for just the second time since 1999 and at 9-2 already have the most win since that team went 11-2.
But while shutting out Westlake 10-0 in a first-round game last Friday in Atlanta, the Packers offense appeared to have water in the gas tank, managing just one touchdown — which came after a fumble recovery on the Lions 15 — and a field goal at horn ending the first half.
The Packers failed to convert any of their third-down opportunities and despite having runs of 37 and 73 yards on two of their first-down plays, they had 3 yards or fewer on seven others.
Another such offensive performance and the trip back from Atlanta might feel even longer.
And Stephenson is geared to frustrating opposing offenses.
Just ask Mack Brown, the outstanding M.L. King running back who is headed to Florida. He was held to just 64 yards on 24 carries by the Jaguars this season.
Stephenson linebacker Tyrone Cornelius is a Rival three-star recruit heading to Miami. Linebacker Jabari Johnson, another 3-star recruit, has committed to Kentucky. Defensive back Kenneth Ladler is going to Vanderbilt. Three-star defensive back Chris Sharpe has not committed yet.
And the best of that talented group is 6-foot-2, 280-pound tackle Mike Thornton, a four-star recruit.
Thornton has not committed, but is expected to choose from among Michigan State, Michigan, West Virginia, Auburn and Georgia.
The Packers have already had to deal with Ed Christian of Lowndes and Jeff Whitaker of Warner Robins. Thornton may be a cut above those two.
“He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen,” Propst said. “He’s big, athletic and quick off the ball. We have to have a special plan just for him. And in all the years I’ve coached, I don’t think I’ve ever had a special plan for a defensive tackle.
“He is a dominant, dominant player.”
The Packers will try to crack the Stephenson defensive front with a line that includes sophomore Bryce Giddens at center; senior Chris Walsh and junior Trey Rhymes at the guards; and junior Garrett Brewer and sophomore Xavier Ward at the tackles.
Junior Tyler Brown, who has thrown for 1,812 yards and 10 touchdowns this season will be at quarterback, with Quin Roberson also lining up in the shotgun in what the Packers call their Viking set.
When not taking snaps, Roberson will be at wide receiver. He has 47 catches for 762 yards and six touchdowns this season and is second on the Packers all-time career receiving list with 89 receptions.
Jacob Propst, Ty Smith, Tommy Hudson and Blake Stamps also will be among Brown’s targets.
Tevin King rushed for 141 yards in the victory over Westlake last week and has 815 yards on the ground this season. He has scored nine times. D’Amonte Ridley also is expected to get plenty of carries.
Defensively, the Packers will have senior tackles Cameron Erving, Nyneson Jeudy and Robert Fuller trying to slow down the Stephenson wing-T.
Senior Tyrell Wright and junior Quan Daniels have been strong at the ends, with junior Rashawn Hunt providing some big plays off the bench.
The linebacking corps has been led by senior Willie McCrary, who leads the team with 82 total tackles. Stephen Moore, Emory Wheeler and Dillon Underwood also be in the game at the inside linebacker spots.
Payne Newsome, William McCrary and Jamal Davis will try to keep the Jaguars from running to the corners.
Cornerbacks Amel Magwood and Derrell Ward have nine interceptions between them.
Free safety Davis Durham has the team’s other interception and is tied for second on the team in tackles with Erving with 69.
Tyler Dismuke, averaging 37.6 yards, will do the punting. He also will kick the long field goals and connected on a 47-yarder against Westlake.
Rich Tyndall, who is 29-for-31, will kick the extra points and is 2-for-2 on field goals.
Ashley Mead will do the snapping and Davis Durham will be the holder for extra point and field goal attempts.
The Colquitt County-Stephenson winner will advance to play the winner of Friday’s Lassiter-South Gwinnett game.
Also tonight, Northside-Warner Robins will play host to Union Grove and, in perhaps the biggest game in the state, Lowndes will travel to Camden County.
NOTES: To get to Hallford Stadium, take I-75 north to I-675. Take I-675 to I-285 East. Take I-285 to Memorial Drive. Turn right on Memorial Drive and go about a mile and turn left on Memorial College Drive. An Office Depot will be on the corner. Visitor parking is about 100 yards on left past Office Depot after turning on to Memorial College Drive.
Admission is $8.
James R. Hallford Stadium, former DeKalb Memorial Stadium was built in 1968 and has a capacity of 15,680. It is located on the campus of Georgia Perimeter College
For those unable to go to the game, it will be broadcast on WMTM-FM Cruisin’ 94 on 93.9 FM.
WMTM also will have its broadcast available on its Web site at www.cruisin94.com.
Also, Georgia Public Broadcasting will have a webcast of the game at www.gpb.org/football.
