Seventh-grade Packer football team drops finale
Published 7:08 pm Saturday, September 30, 2023
MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County seventh-grade Packers finished their season last Wednesday, bowing out to Coffee 38-26 in a first-round playoff game.
The Trojans scored the first 30 points of the day, but the young Packers refused to give up.
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Running back Johnte’ Lewis scored Colquitt’s first touchdown of the day on a short run, set up by two receptions by Demetric Salaam and some nifty running by Leavon Walker.
Salaam recorded the next big play for the Packers, returning a kickoff 64 yards for a score.
The young receiver caught the ball just outside the left hash, made a quick move toward the middle, then broke back toward the sideline.
Salaam followed the blocking of Lacarvian Brown and Jaden Chambers, hit the sideline and left a trail of would-be tacklers en route to the end zone.
Jaydain Brown hauled in a Cade Calhoun pass for the 2-point conversion and the young Packers trailed 30-14.
“We made it a two-score game, after falling behind early,” coach Andy Chapura said. “I appreciated the way our kids kept fighting. That is something they can build on, going forward in the football program.”
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After yielding another score to Coffee, the young Packers went back on offense.
Lewis struck again from near midfield, taking a swing pass from Calhoun, avoiding a defender in the backfield and breaking into the open field.
Downfield blocks by Ja’quan Middleton and Hayden Butterfield allowed the young ball carrier to weave his way into the secondary and Lewis did the rest, out-racing the safety to pay dirt.
Middleton produced the final score of the season as he hauled in a long pass by Calhoun down the left sideline, giving the young quarterback his second passing score of the day.
Samuel, Walker and Trotter Tomlinson also caught passes from Calhoun on the afternoon.
Tyvhyr Young recorded a tackle for loss and Lewis and Ja’Quarius Samuel notched pass deflections for the Packer defense.
“We improved as the season went on, there’s no question about that,” Chapura said. “These young men have a big opportunity in front of them, if they’re willing to commit to the weight room, off-season conditioning and do what they need to in the classroom. We’ll look forward to seeing what they accomplish.”
