One of the biggest holes Colquitt County will have to fill next season will be at tight end, where Ty Smith (80) was an All-State performer in 2011.

 Colquitt County football coach Rush Propst likes where his football program is right now, but knows he has one more big step to take.

The Packers have reached the state semifinals each of the last three seasons, the only team in Georgia’s highest classification to have done so. They have won 31 games in that span and have gone 10-3 in the postseason.

But each year, the Packers have come up short, twice losing the semifinals — each time to the eventual state champion — and, in 2010 falling in the state championship game.

And there is every indication that the Packers could make a simiar, or deeper, run next season.

The Colquitt County coaching staff will find that the cupboard is well-stocked when it prepares for the 2012 season.

The defense should be even stronger next season with an experienced group of linemen, at least five promising linebackers and some veteran secondary players.

The offense has some large holes to fill with the loss to graduation of linemen Bryce Giddens and Preston Mobley, tight end Ty Smith and running backs Willie Woodyard and Tre Cooper.

Colquitt also must replace one the Packers most productive kickers ever in Oscar Luna.

But Propst expects the Packers to be just as good, if not better, the next two years.

“The program has arrived,” Propst said. “The only thing we haven’t done is win a state title.

“But I’m excited about what’s coming. Our kids don’t feel like they’ve finished the mission. I’ve said all along that 2012 and 2013 would be our best years.”

The team will begin preparations for next season when off-season workouts begin on Jan. 9.

Propst said that he expects little change in the coaching staff, although there could be outside interest in some of his assistants.

One of the key components in the Packers ability to win 11 games and reach the semifinals again was an improved defense under coordinator Travis Pearson.

That defense could be even better in 2012, despite the loss of such productive players as Brett Smith, Wayne Jackson, Sharmaine Washington, Anthony Brumbley, Stacey Blackwell, E’Darius Davis, Dondray Copeland, Vann Pitts, Trey Scott and Quan Nelson.

Washington, the team’s leading tackler, will especially be missed.

Many believe he and Josh Clemons were the top two defensive players in Region 1-AAAAA this season.

Washington also gave the Packers another dimension when he lined up in the backfield in the T-set and “jumbo” formations.

But the Packers played a large number of players defensively this season and many of them were underclassmen.

Tackle Travis Register and end Jamiyus Pittman will be back and are expected to reclaim their starting positions.

But tackles Mike Parrish and Taphari Wright got plenty of snaps during the 14-game season at tackle. And Creig Harris, I-Key Pinkins and Ikeem Blakely will battle for playing time at end.

Big-play maker John Gray will return at middle linebacker. And although Washington and Brumbley will be gone, the Packers staff and fans are eager to see more of current freshmen Bull Barge, Tomarcio Reese and Quintin Hamption and sophomore Brandon Key.

Few are expecting the linebacking play to suffer next fall.

Cornerback Johnny Ward will be back after a quietly fine junior season and Carlos Johnson will battle to take over the other corner spot.

Jamal Phillips, who started much of this season at one safety, will be back. Tony Simpson will be given every opportunity to start at the other spot.

Despite having to replace Giddens, Mobley, Woodyard, Cooper, Smith and guard Alex Murphy, the Packers will have some veteran players back.

Bobby Hill, the Packers second-leading receiver and leader in touchdown catches will be back to continue playing catch with quarterback Cole Segraves.

As a junior this season, Segraves completed 160-of-268 passes for 2,115 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Daniel Mobley, who played well when called on as a sophomore, will continue to push for playing time.

Joining Hill in the passing lanes will be Keshaun Taylor, D.J. Johnson.

Propst saie he likes the propects of having young players like Mack Hathcock, Andy Bush, Todd Boyd and Dillon Frazier get a chance to perform.

Woodyard’s carries are expected to be divvied up among John Boatwright, Sihiem King, Javonta Woods, Maleek Lewis, Qwen Grier, Dee Williams and others.

Filling the big shoes left by Ty Smith will be Nate Madison and Colby Reneker.

Colquitt will have three returning veteran linemen in Jeffrey Davis, Dalton Dillon and Octavius Jackson.

Rising junior tackle Gabe Mobley also had a start.

“We’ve still got to find at least one more offensive lineman,” Propst said.

Luna also will be difficult to replace.

A one-year starter, Luna convered 45-of-47 extra point attempts and 16-of-18 field goal attempts.

One of his two field goal misses was from 53 yards and hit the cross bar.

Luna set the school record with 50- and 51-yard field goals.

Will Bannister, who connected on his long field goal attempt this season, is the heir-apparent.

Punter Tyler Yost will return and snapper Britt Jones will return

 PACKERS NOTES: Colquitt County will play host to Norcross in its preseason scrimmage on Aug. 17.

Former record-setting Packers quarterback Reggie Stancil coaches the Blue Devils wide receivers.

Norcross, which played in Region 7-AAAAA last year and will be in Region 7-6A next fall, was 8-3 this season, losing to Dacula 17-10 in the first round. The Blue Devils have been coached since 1999 by Keith Maloof. The program’s last losing season came in 1998.