TIFTON – The Colquitt County soccer teams dropped a pair of Region 1-7A matches at Tift County on Friday, but the Packers made a run at the team atop the standings.

The Colquitt boys lost 3-2 and fall to 7-8 overall and 1-5 in the region, but led the Blue Devils 2-1 with 15:30 remaining.

Tift got the game-winning goal with six minutes remaining.

“We played our butts off,” said Colquitt County head coach Jimbo Jarvis. “That’s what wins region championships. They now believe in themselves and that’s what we needed.

“They were upset about losing, but I showed them how excited I am about their play and now they are looking towards finishing the year strong, working hard during the off-season and building on next year.”

Tift scored first 32 minutes into the match, but Colquitt tied it on a goal by Jonathan Perez.

Luke Brogdon scored in the 58th minute to give the Packers the lead.

“It’s great to see a team that was so young during a rebuilding year playing so well now and competing toe-to-toe with the region champs,” Jarvis said.

“It’s been a tough road this year for a program that is so used to racking up wins year after year, but when it’s all said and done, I believe it will make this team stronger for having gone through it. For now, I will take that complete effort from this young squad. That will go along way with these boys.”

The Lady Packers fell 2-0 and are now 2-13 overall and 0-6 in the region.

The Lady Packers and Packers will be off until Monday, April 12, when they play host to Ware County.

The regular-season finale is scheduled for Wednesday, April 14, when Thomas County Central visits Packer Park.