MOULTRIE – For the second year in a row, Colquitt County High football is making a run at that unofficial distinction of “toughest schedule in the country.”

“If people thought last year’s schedule was tough, take a look at this one,” said Packers head coach Rush Propst Wednesday as he confirmed that the final spot open for the 2017 regular season is filled by the Vista Murrieta High School Broncos of Murrieta, Calif. In 2016, Vista Murrieta went 9-3 playing schools in San Diego, Los Angeles and two others also located in Murrieta. There final game was a loss to Mater Dei – rated No. 3 nationally and No. 2 in all of California by MaxPreps.com – 63-30.

The game against Vista Murrieta for Colquitt County will take place the weekend of Aug. 25. This was the slot where the Packers played American Heritage of Miami on Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium last August. While Propst said at this time he doesn’t know much about the Broncos, he said they would not fly across country (at what he estimated for a cost of $75,000 to $90,000) to Moultrie if they didn’t feel they would be better this fall.

“This could be the toughest in the history of the program,” said Propst. “It could be one of the toughest in the country.”

In 2017, Colquitt County will play two defending state champions, one being from Florida. For the weekend of Homecoming at the end of October, the Packers are slated to face Cocoa High. The Tigers won Florida’s 4A Class with playoff wins against Booker T. Washington of Miami and Bolles of Jacksonville.

At the end of September, Georgia’s Class 6A champions, the Valdosta High Wildcats, will play at Mack Tharpe. They will be looking to avenge their only loss from 2016 when the Packers made record setting plays to win at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

This is also the season where Colquitt must play two Region 1-7A games on the road. Last season at home, the Packers won the region after a thrilling contest with Lowndes High. This new season will conclude at Martin Stadium in Valdosta. It is also the Packer turn to make a three-hour plus ride to Camden County, which will be under new head coach Bob Sphire, hired last week from North Gwinnett.

“It won’t take him long to get it turned around,” said Propst.

Propst also expects a big atmosphere for Colquitt at Brookwood after those Broncos made unsuccessful two trips to Moultrie last season. One was in the playoffs, and for the other the Packers ended an 0-4 start.

Add two state runners-up in Georgia, Roswell of 7A and Tucker of 6A, both games at Mack Tharpe.

The game that has some cloud of uncertainty is the season opener. The Packers are paired against Norcross High on Aug. 19 in the 2017 Corky Kell Classic. However, Propst said Wednesday it’s still not set where in Atlanta these games will be played.

The Georgia Dome is slated for demolition sometime later this year, and reports came out late last year that it is not yet determined if the Classic is indeed moving to the new stadium. In a story dated Jan. 4 by Scoreatl.com, event organizer Dave Hunter said if the games are not at Mercedes-Benz, he would look at college stadiums or other local venues.

“It would be a tough pill to swallow if we have to play outdoors in that heat,” said Propst, whose game with Norcross would be the third one played that Saturday, kickoff estimated to be at 2:45 p.m.

Colquitt has a history in the Corky Kell Classic dating back to 1996. The Packers played seven times in the Georgia Dome, once at Brookwood and once at McEachern.

“It is the best Classic in the country,” said Propst.

And it is usually televised. Last season, Colquitt County also appeared on ESPNU and two times on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Propst said there is nothing set as of now as far as other 2017 games being on television, but that there are a lot of possibilities.

In another “If people thought …” statement about Packer football from one year to another, Propst reiterated how he expects this upcoming Colquitt team to be one of the youngest and most inexperienced he’s had.

“I feel like it’s a new job and we’re starting over from scratch,” he said. “A lot of good players have come through here. I hope the culture of winning will sustain us and give us a chance.”

While there is Division I talent in the senior class and depth at skill positions, Propst said their biggest deficiency will be at the line of scrimmage on both sides. He said he’s already preparing his words for the speaking circuit in town. He’s excited, but plans to preach patience and cautious optimism.

“We will do it with youth,” said Propst.

The one last piece of business about the current school year and the 2016-17 seniors is National Signing Day, and with recruiting Propst said, “Things change by the hour. I expected it to be busy, but I didn’t think it would be this busy.” He said there is interest from all around for 12 to 13 of his seniors, and all of them have big decisions to make real soon.