Lassiter flies on Mason’s passing

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November 23, 2009

Wayne Grandy The Moultrie Observer Mon Nov 23, 2009, 10:57 PM EST

MOULTRIE — Yes, it seems like a long time since the Colquitt County has played in the 13th game of a season, as it will Friday night when it travels to Lassiter.

And it has been. Since 1999, to be exact, when the Packers went 11-2.

But Colquitt played in 13 or more games in a season eight times between 1991 and 1999, so there is some historical precedence.

But for Lassiter, reaching the state quarterfinals is uncharted territory.

In fact, since it began playing football in 1982, Lassiter had advanced to the second round of the playoffs just once and had won just one playoff game before this season.

And both of those milestones were reached last year.

And the two seasons before Chip Lindsey left his job as Rush Propst’s offensive coordinator at Hoover High in Alabama to become Lassiter’s head coach in 2008, the Trojans had put together back-to-back 3-7 records.

Lindsey obviously has done an outstanding job since going the Marietta school, posting a 21-3 record as he prepares to play host to the Packers at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Frank Fillman Stadium.

And he also was fortunate to take his spread offense to a school that had a quarterback with the talents of Hutson Mason.

The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder ws the Georgia Sports Writers Class AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 after throwing for 3,705 yards — just five yards short of the stare record — and 30 touchdowns.

But he was just warming up.

Even after losing all-state tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen, who had 72 catches last year, Mason has been better this year.

Much better, much more productive.

After completing 32-of-39 passes for a state-record 545 yards and eight touchdowns in last Friday’s 70-49 playoff victory over South Gwinnett, Mason now has a state-record 4,266 career passing yards.

He also has thrown 54 touchdown passes this season, breaking the old record of 47 set by Charlton County’s Jeremy Privett in 2003.

The eight touchdown passes also tied Privett’s single-game touchdown record.

And Mason has not slowed down in the playoffs.

While the Trojans were defeating North Forsyth 62-37 and South Gwinnett 70-49, Mason was throwing for 997 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Packers coach Rush Propst, who coached against a Tim Tebow-led team several years ago, says Mason will be the best quarterback he has faced.

“He’s got a cannon for an arm,” Propst said. “And he plays with such confidence.

“And with those numbers, I think he’s the state player of the year.”

And Propst rejected the idea that perhaps the Packers might be able get inside Mason’s helmet.

“He doesn’t rattle,” he said.

Still, the Packers hope to be able to pressure Mason much as they did Stephenson quarterback Jordan Tarver in the 22-21 playoff victory in Clarkston last week.

Tarver threw three interceptions, including two in the deciding fourth quarter.

His other, which came with Colquitt County defensive end Quan Daniels hanging on to him, was intercepted by William McCrary and returned for a second-quarter touchdown that tied the game.

And the Packers should not be surprised by much of what the Lassiter offense throws at them on Friday.

The two schools met in an abbreviated scrimmage in Marietta back in August in which the Packers led 24-13 when the game was called in the third quarter because of lightning.

And the two offenses use the same playbook and terminology, Propst said.

“They use the exact, verbatim offense we use,” Propst said. “It’s a carbon copy.”

But Propst said both teams may have new wrinkles to show on Friday.

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