MOULTRIE — He realizes a victory over Northside of Warner Robins tonight at Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium is a longshot, but Colquitt County football coach Rush Propst ticked off three reasons his Packers have reason to play well.

“This game really means nothing to Northside,” Propst said. “But it means a lot for us. It gives us a chance to beat someone nobody gives us a chance to beat. We can erase a losing season. And we have a chance to beat one of the best programs in the Southeast.”

Northside, the two-time defending Class AAAA state champion, is 8-1 overall and 5-1 in its first season in Region 1-AAAAA.

The Eagles have clinched the No. 2 seed from the region in the state playoffs and will play host to a first-round game next weekend at McConnell-Talbert Stadium.

Colquitt County can hope the Eagles are looking ahead to their first playoff game in Class AAAAA and not taking seriously a team that is 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the region.

But the Packers will have to play their best game of the season to have a chance.

“I really think they are one of the top programs in the Southeast, and I emphasize ‘programs,’” Propst said. “I think the only difference between them and Lowndes is (Vikings all-purpose performer) Greg Reid.”

Despite coaching for nearly all of his career in Alabama, Propst is well-aware of the success that Northside and it coach, Conrad Nix, have had over the years.

This year, Propst said, Lowndes (9-0), Northside (8-1) and Camden County (9-0) rank a cut above the rest of the schools in Class AAAAA.

“Those three have programs that everyone else is striving for,” Propst said.

Northside took a 30-game winning streak into the season and its only loss in 2008 has been to Lowndes.

The Eagles defense boasts three All-State candidates in lineman Abry Jones, linebacker Eric Fields and cornerback K.J. Morton.

“Their defense is as salty as any I’ve seen anytime,” Propst said.

And the Northside offense features running back Xavier Bacon, who leads Region 1-AAAAA in rushing with 1,139 yards.

“He’s a phenomenal back, a great player,” Propst said.

Colquitt broke a five-game losing streak when it rallied from a 14-14 halftime tie to defeat Houston County 28-14 on the road last Saturday.

The Packers overcame five turnovers by shutting down the Bears in the second half, allowing just 91 yards.

The Packers will need a similar effort for four quarters if their 13 seniors are to go out with a victory.

“I like our plan,” Propst said of his preparations for Northside. “Offensively, (quarterbacks) Tyler (Brown) and John Michael (Harrison) will do what they do best. We’ll have a double-barrell approach there.”

The Packers have become increasingly reliant on Tevin King the last few week and the sophomore running back has responded. He is now tied for seventh in the region in receiving with 20 catches for 199 yards and has two touchdowns.

He took a screen pass from Brown 60 yards for a score last week.

The Packers also will have senior Travon Littleton, who also has 20 catches and who leads in the team in rushing, coming out of the backfield.

The offensive line remains intact with freshman center Bryce Giddens, guards Chris Walsh and R.J. Taylor and sophomore tackles Garrett Brewer and Trey Rhymes.

In Quinn Roberson, Jacob Propst and Eric Key, the Packers have three of the top receivers in the region.

Roberson leads the league with 32 catches for 518 yards and five touchdowns. Key has 30 catches for 440 yards and eight touchdowns.

Propst returned to the lineup after missing several games with a knee injury to catch three passes for 71 yards and a tie-breaking touchdown against Houston County.

The Packers also are likely to try to get the ball to Travon Jackson, Travis Harris, Diamonte Ridley and Tamorious Collins.

Defensively, the Packers have tightened up over the last two games.

After giving up an average of 431 yards in their first four region games, they allowed 316 to Warner Robins and 308 to Houston County.

The Packers used a 4-6 look with some success against Houston County last Saturday.

The line included Quan Daniels, Tyrell Wright, Robert Fuller, Cameron Erving and Nyneson Jeudy. Emory Wheeler and Stephen Moore were joined in the linebacker positions by Key, who made his first start of the season on the defensive side of the ball and had an excellent game.

Key plays a hybrid position that is part pressure linebacker and part strong safety, Propst said.

Among the secondary players will be sophomore Amel Magwood, who had an interception last week. Davis Durham and senior Corzell Ellerson also will see time in the secondary.

Ashley Mead will continue to do the snapping and Durham will be the holder.

Tyler Dismuke and Rich Tyndall split the point-after duties last Saturday, with each going 2-for-2.

Dismuke, who also will do the punting, missed a pair of field goal attempts, pulling each one wide left.

Although the Packers will not advance to the playoffs for the third straight season, tonight’s game is important to Propst for another reason.

“We lost to Lowndes 51-0 and I don’t think there is a lot of difference between Lowndes and Northside,” Propst said. “This game is a measuring stick for us. It will show how far we’ve come.”

Also tonight in the other Region 1-AAAAA games, Lowndes will travel to Warner Robins, Tift County will go to Coffee and Houston County will play at Valdosta.

The only game with significance is the Tift County-Coffee game at Jardine Stadium in Douglas.

The winner takes the region’s No. 3 state playoff berth. The loser will be No. 4.

Both will have to travel to play Region 2-AAAAA teams in the first round of the playoffs next week.

Lowndes has clinched the region championship. Northside is the region runner-up.

PACKERS NOTES: The senior football players, band members and cheerleaders will be honored before tonight’s games.

According to the lists provided by the school the seniors are:

Football: John Michael Harrison, Corzell Ellerson, Eric Key, Justin Jones, Michael Davis, Monrico Robinson, Patrick Phillips, R.J. Taylor, Traivon Littleton, Weston Gittens, Jacorey Dillard, Patrick Johnson, Travon Jackson, C.J. Copeland, manager Jada Porter and manager Jessie Faulkner.

50th Regiment Band: Michael Amore, Frances Armijo, Micah Barker, Traci Burnham, Grayson Campbell, Holly Cericola, Jacob Cobb, Hannah Collins, Kendall Cooper, Teal Ewer, Justin Fowler, Matthew Gibson, Malcolm Marks, Daniel Mothershed, Courtney Newell, Olivia Norman, Logan Padilla, Ashley Patillo, Nathan Pittman, Danielle Scott, Dominique Sinquefield, Savannah Smith, Allyson Sorrell, Amy Taylor, Amber Wiard and Shane Wiley.

Cheerleaders: Sara Clayton, Christian Davis, Jessica Dunn, Casey Kilgore, Laura Murphy, Bonnie O’Neal, Kate Reeves and Laken Warburg.