MOULTRIE – The only differences: there are walls and a roof overhead.

Otherwise, there’s still a clock counting down period times and keeping up with the number of periods. There are still position stations from one corner of the 100-yard field to another. There is still head coach Rush Propst going from station to station watching as his staff doesn’t let one little detail go unchecked.

Tuesday was the first day of Colquitt County High’s spring football practice for the upcoming 2018 season. If you want to see the starting lineup – those who can participate anyway – get to the new indoor facility around 6 a.m.

In the afternoon, its a look at future Packer starters, this past season’s freshmen or next season’s 9th graders.

The irony of the day is that dark clouds hovered over Moultrie most of the day bringing some scattered heavy rain showers. That’s just one of the major benefits of practicing indoors.

Some Packers will also say it’s great preparation for the 2018 season opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. There, Colquitt plays McEachern High.

“It’s a way to get out of the sun and rain, and heat conditions,” said defensive end Kree Herring. “It’s fun practicing in here.”

“It feels like outside,” said running back Daijun Edwards. “It’s a little bit hot in here, but that’s alright.”

Colquitt County will return to Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium at 10 a.m. Saturday for an intra-squad scrimmage. The second one of the spring is Friday, May 25, at 7 p.m.