Colquitt County will try to find ways to spring Sihiem King (22) loose tonight when the Packers travel to meet Lowndes at 8 p.m at Martin Stadium.

There have been rumors that perhaps Lowndes isn’t quite as strong as usual, despite the gaudy numbers put up in the last two games.

Talk has it that the Vikings are not as big or as athletic, not as fast, not as strong on defense as in some recent years.

Colquitt County coach Rush Propst has heard those rumblings. And he puts absolutely no stock in them.

“Lowndes is no different,” Propst said of the 3-1 Vikings, who will play host to the Packers at 8 tonight at Martin Stadium. “They’ll be fast, physical and well-coached.”

And motivated.

The road to a Region 1-AAAAAA championship starts tonight and the Vikings would like nothing better to defeat the Packers in a game that, because of recent history, has taken on an even larger importance.

That history goes back to the Vikings’ 51-0 win over the Packers in Propst’s first game against Lowndes in 2008. In 2011, the Packers put a convincing 34-7 whipping on the Vikings, but last year’s game was close and controversial.

Lowndes won 17-14 at Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium in a game that will forever be known as the one in which Propst accused Lowndes and Thomas County Central of conspiring to steal the Packers sideline signals relay them to the Vikings staff.

There will be no loved lost on either side, no coaches handshakes before or after the game.

And Lowndes is still smarting from a 15-14 loss at home to Newton on Sept. 6. Subsequent lopsided victories over Windsor Forest (87-0) and Hardaway (63-0) are not likely to have done anything to medicate the sting from that loss.

So, Propst knows what to expect tonight.

“They will play extremely hard,” he said. “They’ll play us harder than anyone else they play.”

And Propst also knows that when the Vikings have played well against the Packers, they have some out of the chute fast.

“They always seem to get off to a great start,” he said, knowing he and his staff have had an extra week to prepare.

The two blowouts have skewed the Vikings stats. Including a season-opening 42-2 victory over Luella, they have outscored their four opponents 206-17 and have allowed just 33 first downs and 425 yards of offense.

Leading rusher Ahman Brown has carried just 41 times and has gained 298 yards, a 7.3 yard-per-carry average and four touchdowns.

Starting quarterback Austin Dixon has completed 19-of-37 passes for 231 yards and six touchdowns.

No receiver has more than four catches.

Defensively, the 4.3 points the opposition has put up against the Vikings speaks for itself.

Perhaps.

After all, the overall record of the Vikings four non-region opponents is 5-9.

But again, Propst insists he won’t be swayed by that. He has watched tape of the Vikings. And watched it again. And probably again.

He said he feels good about his plan to begin turning around his 1-4 record against the Vikings.

If he is confident in his team’s chances against Lowndes, it might be because the open week has allowed his team to heal from four games and a scrimmage against difficult competition.

Everyone who limped through or did not play in the 34-0 victory over Carver of Columbus two weeks ago should be ready, with the exception of defensive tackle Jamiyus Pittman.

The preseason All-State selection broke his fibula two weeks ago and could be lost for two months.

His loss will affect both the offense and defense, as he had been working at offensive guard and was blocking on a short pass play when injured.

His spot on the defensive front will be taken by senior Di Slaughter, who will line up next to Mike Parrish, who is off to a strong start this year.

The defensive end positions will be manned by some combination of Alex Williams, Tomarcio Reese, Quintin Hampton, Demetrius Walker and I-Key Pinkins.

Hampton and Reese also might line up in the linebacker corps, which also including leading tackler Bull Barge and Brandon Key. C.J. Johnson, one of the wounded who will be back in action, also plays outside backer.

The return of Tim Sanders, who was injured in the scrimmage loss to Norcross, should bolster the cornerback crew that already includes Michael Sutton and Taif Smith. Johnson, O’Shay Williams and Quan Patillo have been playing safety. Maleek Lewis also has performed well in the secondary when called upon.

The offense looked a little more like what Packer fans have become used to in the win over Carver.

Senior quarterback Daniel Mobley threw for three touchdowns and Kiel Pollard and Javonta Woods combined to grab 11 passes, including three for scores. Todd Boyd leads the team and region in receptions with 15 and could be ready for a breakout game.

Marquan Greene and Cambrick Taylor have emerged as targets as well.

Sihiem King continues to pound away at the opposition from his feature back position.

The offensive line has been a work in progress and will definitely be without Pittman tonight. Parrish, who also was getting snaps with the offense, might see his contributions curtailed when the Packers have the ball.

Cade Blackburn, who started the season at guard has moved to center and his snaps to Mobley were perfect against Carver.

Gabe Mobley, whose tender ankle is improving, started the season at center, but will play guard and tackle tonight. Alfred Brown and Brandon Cope also will be at the tackle positions and Clay Hawkins will play guard.

Propst said Will Matney and Micah Edwards could see some playing time on the line tonight.

The Packers special teams play has been solid all season and the staff is especially pleased with the development of sophomore place-kicker Luis Martinez, who has converted all 10 of his extra point attempts and has hit 4-of-6 field goal attempts.

His field goals against Carver were from 41 and 42 yards out.

As usual, Propst said his team must play with emotion to have a chance to beat the Vikings in what is expected to be a boisterous Martin Stadium.

“How we approach the game will be a big part,” Propst said. “I know our community is as hungry as I’ve seen them. I hope we can match their enthusiasm.

“But I like the makeup of our team. I like its chemistry. This team will give all its capable of giving. I know that. And that’s a good feeling for a coach.”

Still emotion will only take a team so far.

“We’ve still got to make plays,” Propst said. “I told them I don’t want them to be football players Friday night. I want them to be playmakers.”

PACKER NOTES: Also tonight in the region,  Valdosta (4-0) will travel to Kingsland to meet Camden County (3-1) and Coffee (4-0) will go to Tift County (3-1). Brunswick (2-2) is off.