MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County High football team has its best chance to get a Region 1-AAAAA victory tonight when it visits McConnell-Talbert Stadium for the second weekend in a row, this time to take on Houston County.

And while a victory would be a boon to the program that Rush Propst started this year, the first-year Packers coach knows he also must begin to look ahead to 2009.

The Packers and Bears are both 3-5 overall, 0-5 in Region 1-AAAAA and mired in five-game losing streaks. Both would like to finish the 2008 season strong with something to build on.

Propst said Thursday’s 27-22 junior varsity victory over Bainbridge at Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium was the first step toward building for next year. Tonight’s meeting with Houston County is the next.

“It’s not do-or-die,” Propst said. “But it’s crucial to the mindset of our kids.

“We want to finish with some positives.”

The Packers will have to stop the power running of the Bears, who have two of Region 1-AAAAA’s top seven rushers.

Garrick Davis has rushed for 635 yards and six touchdowns and Robert Williams has 507 yards and four scores.

The Bears, coached by former Packer Greg Robinson, have used two quarterbacks this season, seniors Jeff Thompson and Robinson’s son Hogan.

Colquitt County also will try to find some consistency in its offense in its second trip to Warner Robins in eight days.

Both the offense and defense will undergo some personnel changes as Propst and his staff seek a victory and look ahead.

“We’ve got to see our young kids,” Propst said.

Sophomore Tyler Brown is expected to start at quarterback in place of senior John Michael Harrison, although Propst said Harrison will play against the Bears and will probably start next Friday’s Senior Night game against Northside.

“John Michael hasn’t done anything to lose his position,” Propst said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.

“We’ve just got to see Tyler. There is nothing else to it.”

Harrison has started the last 18 games for the Packers and this year has completed 125-of-238 passes for 1,558 yards and 15 touchdowns while throwing just two interceptions.

Brown has has come off the bench the last two games and played well. He is 24-for-38 for 275 yards and has thrown for a pair of scores.

“We just don’t want to go into next season without Tyler having had a start,” Propst said.

The offensive line will remain the same with freshman Bryce Giddens starting at center, flanked by senior R.J. Taylor and junior Chris Walsh at the guards and sophomores Garrett Brewer and Trey Rhymes at the tackles.

Freshman Preston Mobley got some playing time at right tackle last week in the 39-14 loss to Warner Robins and is likely to be on the field again tonight.

Propst said he hoped to get some playing time for Xavier Ward, Trenton Rhodes, Tommy Marshall, Whit Benton, Harden Mobley and Justin Bates.

Jacob Propst is back after missing several games with a knee injury and will start at one of the wideout positions. Sophomore Stephen Brown and freshman Ty Smith, each of whom had his first catch of the season last week, also will play.

Quinn Roberson, who is tied for the region lead in receiving with teammate Eric Key, will be at another wideout spot. Tamorious Collins and freshman Trey Cooper also will see time at that spot.

Travis Harris will start at the other wideout. He will be spelled by Hayden Kudela, freshman Stacy Blackwell and Darious Love.

Key will be at one running back spot, backed up Diamonte Ridley and Matthew Sailor.

Tevin King will start at the other backfield position, where Travon Littleton and freshman Quon Jones will also play.

Hakeem Peterson suffered a leg injury at practice on Monday and is out for the season.

When the Packers use a five-lineman front, they will start Quan Daniels, Tyrell Wright, Nyneson Jeudy, Robert Fuller and Cameron Erving. Brett Smith, Zack Cannon, Patrick Phillips and Rashawn Hunt also will see playing time.

Expected to start at linebacker are Stephen Moore and Emory Wheeler, while Dillon Underwood, Mark Lindsey, Jamal Davis also expected to play.

In one change in the secondary, Key is expected to get his first start of the season, while also figuring in on the offense as well.

C.J. Copeland, Davis Durham, Derrell Ward, Corzell Ellerson, Payne Newsome, Tae Avery and Tre DeBruce also will see considerble playing time.

Tyler Dismuke, who played with stitches in his knee last week, should be able to perform better this week and will punt, kick off and handle any field goal attempts.

Ashley Mead will snap and Durham will be the holder.

Rich Tyndall, who converted both point-after attempts last Friday, will handle those chores again.

Propst, who was not pleased with his team’s performance in the loss to the Demons last Friday, said his team practiced better this week.

“We made a turnaround late Tuesday,” Propst said. “I was pleased with our turnaround.

“You’ve got to credit the kids.”