MOULTRIE — It was a victory the Colquitt County High football team desperately needed and, with Tift County getting pounded 25 miles away, the 21-7 win over Houston County on Friday has kept the Packers playoff hopes alive.

It was not a perfect victory, to be sure. The Packers struggled again in the red zone, leaving potential points unclaimed against a struggling opponent. The passing game is still largely ineffective.

But playing in front of the Homecoming crowd, Colquitt was able to snap the ball 59 times, punted just twice and rushed for nearly 200 yards.

And if Coffee, Lowndes and Valdosta appear to have the best shots at playoff berths, the Packers, now 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the region, have joined the race for the final spot. Especially now that Tift County is 0-2 in the region after being smacked around decisively at home 31-14 by Coffee on Friday.

Tift has lost three games in a row and two starters taken off the field on stretchers against the Trojans on Friday. But the Blue Devils will get better next Friday when they meet Houston.

The Packers took their first first-quarter lead of the season on Friday when Dominique Presley galloped 49 yards for a touchdown on his team’s second possession. Beau Holden converted to put the Packers up 7-0 with 7:21 left in the period.

The Bears then began giving the game away.

Colquitt County’s Terry McDaniel caused a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and the Packers recovered on the Houston 23.

With a chance to blow the game open early, Colquitt ran four running plays that resulted in six yards, turning ball back over two minutes later.

After forcing a Bears punt, the Packers drove to the Houston 9. Instead of being in position to take 21-0 first-quarter lead, the Packers fumbled the ball away and had to be content with a 7-0 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Colquitt made some noise on its first possession of the second quarter, driving to a fourth-and-2 at the Houston 31. But again, the Packers came up short on fourth down and turned the ball over on downs for the second time.

The Colquitt defense set up the next touchdown when Eric Key intercepted a Jeff Thompson pass and ran it 77 yards to the Houston County 3. Travon Littleton took it into the end zone on the next play and after Holden’s conversion, the Packers led 14-0.

The Bears had a chance to get on the scoreboard with 56 seconds left in the first half, but a 48-yard field goal attempt by Michael Thompson fell short.

The Packers wasted little time scoring their first third-quarter touchdown of the season and again it was the defense that set it up.

Dominique Hunt picked off an errant Thompson pass atthe Houston 41 on the third play of the second half and returned it to the Bears 15.

On the first play, a John Michael Harrison pass bounced on the intended receiver right to fullback Michael Jenkins, who hauled it in and rambled to the 5. Two plays later, Littleton scored from 4 and Holden, who has been perfect on all 11 of his extra-point attempts this season, converted and the Packers led 21-0 with 9:37 left in the quarter.

Craig Presley broke a 47-yard touchdown run 1:20 later, but that was all offensively challenged Houston County could muster on the night. The Bears have scored just 45 points in their seven games.

Following the Houston County touchdown, the Packers got a 23-yard kickoff return from Jenkins and drove to a first-and-10 at the Houston 18.

Again the Packers stalled, even after Dominique Presley gained eight yards on first down.

Jenkins was hit in the backfield for a 2-yard loss and Presley got those back, but no more, on third down.

Holden and field goal team trotted out, but before the Packers could get the snap off, they were flagged for delay of game.

Packers coach Tim Cokely then decided to send the offense out, but an incomplete pass scuttled yet another scoring opportunity.

Hunt got his second interception of the with 6:36 left in the game, picking off a Thompson pass in the end zone to snuff out the Bears last, best scoring opportunity.

Sandwiched around the final Bears turnover – a Thompson fumble with 2:04 left in the game – Colquitt turned the ball over on downs on two more occasion.

The Packers penultimate possession was kept alive on a roughing the kicker penalty when punter Cameron Fitzgerald was taken down, but Colquitt was unable to take advantage.

Dominique Presley continued his outstanding running off the bench, rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown. Littleton, apparently confident that his surgically repaired knee will hold up, is emerging as the Packers go-to runner.

Key, Colquitt’s leading rusher much of the season and owner of a 188-yard game against Lee County, has taken a diminished role in the offense the last few weeks as he plays more in the Packers depleted secondary.

The Packers will be off this Friday, getting an extra week to prepare for the Oct. 26 meeting with Lowndes at home.

Colquitt will finish the season with a Nov. 2 home game against Warner Robins and a trip to Tift County on Nov. 9.

Valdosta traveled to Warner Robins on Saturday night.

next touchdown when Eric Key intercepted a Jeff Thompson pass and ran it 77 yards to the Houston County 3. Travon Littleton took it into the end zone on the next play and after Holden’s conversion, the Packers led 14-0.

The Bears had a chance to get on the scoreboard with 56 seconds left in the first half, but a 48-yard field goal attempt by Michael Thompson fell short.

The Packers wasted little time scoring their first third-quarter touchdown of the season and again it was the defense that set it up.

Dominique Hunt picked off an errant Thompson pass at the Houston 41 on the third play of the second half and returned it to the Bears 15.

On the first play, a John Michael Harrison pass bounced on the intended receiver right to fullback Michael Jenkins, who hauled it in and rambled to the 5. Two plays later, Littleton scored from 4 and Holden, who has been perfect on all 11 of his extra-point attempts this season, converted and the Packers led 21-0 with 9:37 left in the quarter.

Craig Presley broke a 47-yard touchdown run 1:20 later, but that was all offensively challenged Houston County could muster on the night. The Bears have scored just 45 points in their seven games.

Following the Houston County touchdown, the Packers got a 23-yard kickoff return from Jenkins and drove to a first-and-10 at the Houston 18.

Again the Packers stalled, even after Dominique Presley gained eight yards on first down.

Jenkins was hit in the backfield for a 2-yard loss and Presley got those back, but no more, on third down.

Holden and field goal team trotted out, but before the Packers could get the snap off, they were flagged for delay of game.

Packers coach Tim Cokely then decided to send the offense out, but an incomplete pass scuttled yet another scoring opportunity.

Hunt got his second interception of the night with 6:36 left in the game, picking off a Thompson pass in the end zone to snuff out the Bears last and best scoring opportunity.

Sandwiched around the final Bears turnover — a Thompson fumble with 2:04 left in the game — Colquitt turned the ball over on downs on two more occasions.

The Packers penultimate possession was kept alive on a roughing the kicker penalty when punter Cameron Fitzgerald was taken down, but Colquitt was unable to take advantage.

Dominique Presley continued his outstanding running off the bench, rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown. Littleton, apparently confident that his surgically repaired knee will hold up, is emerging as the Packers go-to runner.

Key, Colquitt’s leading rusher much of the season and owner of a 188-yard game against Lee County, has taken a diminished role in the offense the last few weeks as he plays more in the Packers depleted secondary.

The Packers will be off this Friday, getting an extra week to prepare for the Oct. 26 meeting with Lowndes at home.

Colquitt will finish the season with a Nov. 2 home game against Warner Robins and a trip to Tift County on Nov. 9.

Valdosta traveled to Warner Robins on Saturday night.

In other games of interest on Friday:

• Cook defeated Albany 35-12 to raise its record to 4-2. The Hornets will be home next Friday to meet 2-5 Brooks County.

• As expected, Thomas County Central destroyed Dutchtown 55-0. The 6-0 Yellow Jackets will be home to open its Region 1-AAAA schedule against 5-1 Americus-Sumter County on Friday.

• Bainbridge defeated Forest Park 40-0 and is now 4-2. The Bearcats will play their region-opener at home against 1-5 Lee County on Friday.

• The Greg Robinson coached Dodge County Indians blanked Tattnall County 48-0 on Friday raising their record to 5-1. The Indians will travel to meet 4-3 Bleckley County on Friday.

• Thomasville defeated Mitchell County 49-21 on Friday for its fifth victory in a row. The Bulldogs only losses have been to Thomas County Central and Cairo. They will be off Friday before playing host to Fitzgerald on Friday, Oct. 26.

• Cairo swamped Westover 48-14 on Friday and is now 5-1. The Syrupmakers will be home to meet 2-4 Worth County on Friday. The Rams lost to Monroe 29-15 last Friday.

• Perhaps the most interesting game in southwest Georgia this Friday will be in Blakely where 6-0 Early County will play host to 6-0 Fitzgerald.