MOULTRIE – If this group of football Packers can hold their own in summer organized team activities, imagine what the fall season could be like.

Colquitt County High’s freshman football players, after a summer of workouts with the varsity, going through everything they went through, are getting their own act together on a new playing field. And it’s under the watch of a new head coach with collegiate experience.

“We have 55 players, and (most) of us spent most of every day here this summer,” said that new coach, Kirk Woodall, Tuesday. “Whenever varsity was practicing, 9th grade was out there getting their own work in. We’ve come together as a team.

“When we got to do the OTAs, we went against Thomasville, and I thought against a very good team we looked physical at times. We also looked like freshmen at times against a bunch of upperclassmen. In the afternoon session against Campbell, I thought our guys played excellent, scored six or seven touchdowns receiving and rushing. We’ve come a long ways. I’m looking forward to seeing how much further they progress.”

The 9th grade season begins Aug. 16 on the new Packer Park turf against Lowndes. There’s also a home game set for the following Thursday against Valdosta. In September the 9th graders go to Lowndes and Valdosta and host Tift County Sept. 20.

Woodall came to Colquitt County’s football program from GHSA Class A Baconton Charter, where he was varsity defensive coordinator. He was a collegiate position coach (defensive line and tight ends) at Division II Wingate University near Charlotte.

“That was my whole plan once I finished school,” said Woodall. “To come to south Georgia and see what football’s really about. I’m from the metro area, and growing up I always knew I wanted to get to south Georgia and see that brand of football. Between the college environment and Packer ball, it’s very similar. These kids are getting prepared now so that when they get to college they will be successful both in the classroom and the football field.”

It’s a new coaching staff and a new level of football for this group of Packers, but they are mainly familiar as teammates having played middle school football year by year as a unit.

“I think we have a shot to have an excellent season,’ said Woodall. “I hope to tell you undefeated. That’s the plan. There’s a lot of great talent, and a lot of maturing throughout the summer.

“The biggest step up is physical maturity as you go from 8th to 9th grade. The terminology is similar from the middle school program. It’s just a matter of finding the right mix of kids to implement what the varsity plan is.”

Other 9th grade coaches are Marcus Rice, Blair Lumpkin, DeRyan Arnold, Lee Caquelard and Nick Hartuvel.