MOULTRIE – One quarterback has a linebacker’s mentality. The other’s going to bring a hockey mindset to Martin Stadium on Friday – and it’s not one of a flashy goal-scoring forward but instead the guy on the other end of the ice trying to keep those pucks away from the net.

Still with a lot of hockey player in his heart and genes, Colquitt County High senior quarterback Steven Krajewski will take charge of the Packer offense Friday in a showdown with undefeated and No. 1 ranked Lowndes with ex-linebacker Michael Barrett at a place called the Concrete Palace. It’s a game Colquitt County (7-2 overall) needs to create a potential tie for first place in the final Region 1-7A standings after falling to 1-1 in the league last Friday.

Before the region season began, while the Packers were enjoying an off week from game action, Krajewski made an important decision. He committed to the University of Connecticut, choosing the Huskies over Syracuse. Krajewski made his official visit to UConn and found a place that “felt like home.”

“What really stood out were the coaches and the people,” he said. “Coach (Rhett) Lashlee and coach (Randy) Edsell made my decision easy. It’s a blessing to have an opportunity to play at an amazing college. I’m extremely excited.”

Edsell is the Huskies’ head coach in his second stint leading the program, and Lashlee is the offensive coordinator. Krajewski said Lashlee runs a spread offense that’s pass first similar to Colquitt County High, which he feels fits his game well.

The environment in New England should also fit Krajewski, for in 2016 he and his family transferred to Moultrie from Michigan.

“The Georgia climate, it’s amazing,” he said. “I love it, and I’ve grown used to it. You can’t beat it. It’s going to snow pretty soon in Michigan.”

And Krajewski likes the snow, especially outdoor Winter Olympic type activities. Plus, at UConn, the snow may be arriving soon as well, so when he’s playing for the Huskies in a home American Athletic Conference tilt in the next few years, he’s likely to contend with a flake or two.

“I grew up in it,” said Krajewski. “The only thing bad about it having to shovel it. Other than that, I do things like snowboarding and hockey. The cold winters I actually enjoy, which comes as a surprise to most people.”

Hockey is a big part of the Krajewski family.

“I miss it every day,” said Steven. “I love watching it. My brother still plays. My dad was a goalie. I grew up loving the sport.”

On the ice, Steven was a left defenseman, so he got to do a lot of cross checking, hitting the way linebackers hit quarterbacks.

“I was pretty physical back in the day,” he said. Plus, Steven Krajewski was a big fan of Michigan State.

“Michigan State was actually recruiting me very early in 9th and 10th grade,” he said. “I’ve had family who went to Michigan State. I love the campus there as well. It’s beautiful there. Yes, grew up loving Michigan State.”

The scene changed, though, in 2016 to South Georgia. Krajewski spent his junior year in the Colquitt County High program preparing to take over the reins in the fall of 2017. Among his quarterback highlights are the long strings of consecutive passes completed – 14 vs. Tucker and 10 vs. Brookwood and Tift County. Going into Friday’s game, Krajewski has 1,327 passing yards on 113 completions and 10 touchdowns. Even more impressive would be, in 174 attempts, only one interception.

“We’re winning games,” said Krajewski. “Unfortunately we lost to Tift last week. We’ve had an amazing week of preparation getting ready for Lowndes. It’s going to be exciting going to the away environment. I’ve heard about how intense it can get at their stadium. I’m looking forward to playing there.”

The environment on Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium last Friday – and a few others – was quite intense. So how does Krajewski approach playing in that atmosphere when he’s got a job to do?

“I try to get as focused as I can for each game,” he said. “Block out everything and focus on my job. The environment never usually affects me too much.”

What can he say about playing for head coach Rush Propst and offensive coordinator Jeff Hammond?

“That’s one of the key reasons we chose Colquitt,” said Krajewski. “The coaching staff here is unbeatable. The weight room. I’m extremely grateful to have the coaches we have here. I’ve excelled tremendously under this staff.”

Then there are the teammates, first and foremost the quarterback’s best friend, the running game. He’s given the football more than 220 times to Ty Leggett and Daijun Edwards for more than 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“Once the o-line gets rolling, we’re unstoppable on the ground,” said Krajewski. “We’re kind of balanced right now between passing and running, but it definitely helps to have the backfield we have.”

Five different Packer receivers have 10 or more catches, but by far the leader in receiving is senior Cam Singletary with 561 yards, 43 catches and four touchdowns.

“Cam and I have a really good connection,” said Krajewski. “All of the receivers, we’ll work after practice, work on timing. The synergy as a whole unit, with all the receivers, it’s starting to click as we approach playoff time. It gets me excited to go to war with them and do great things.”

What about those completion streaks?

“I have extreme confidence in my receivers,” he said. “You get in a rhythm. We go quick in our tempo offense. Everything’s open.”

Will it all then come together for a big victory on Friday?

“It’s going to be a really good game,” said Krajewski. “It’s going to take a lot of effort. It’s going to come down to the fourth quarter, I believe. Lowndes has a really good ball club, but I believe we can beat them.”