MOULTRIE — After reaching the state championship game in the state’s largest classification the last two seasons, the Roswell football program was dealt a blow when coach John Ford, who had led the program to a 40-12 record, left to take over a Buford.

Roswell hired Johns Creek head coach Matt Kemper in January in effort to keep the program among the state’s elites.

The Hornets, who will travel to Colquitt County on Friday to meet the Packers for the third straight season, have had a so-so start this season after losing to Grayson 23-20 in overtime in the state championship game last December.

Ranked No. 2 in Class 7A to start the season, the Hornets were a 27- point favorite over South Forsyth in the season-opening Corky Kell Classic, but fell 17-14 in the second overtime.

After a week off, Roswell took a short trip again, this one to Central Gwinnett.

The Hornets got a 27-21 victory, but that game, too, went into overtime.

Obviously eager to get its record up over .500, Roswell will not likely overlook Colquitt County, despite have humbled the Packers 34-3 in the Hornets Nest last September.

That victory left the Packers with an 0-4 record after havingwon their previous 30 in a row.

Colquitt won eight in row after losing at Roswell before falling to eventual state champion Grayson in the quarterfinals.

The Packers are off to a 3-0 start this season, dispatching three quality teams in Norcross, Vista Murrieta (Fla.) and Tucker.

So the Packers are 11-1 since the loss at Roswell. And they are averaging 42 points even in those dozen games.

And while obviously getting its offense back on track, Colquitt has improved its defense since then, especially in its three games this season.

The Packers have surrendered six touchdows in their three games. But three — one in each game — have been fumbles that the opposition either ran into the end zone or recovered there for scores.

Otherwise, the Packers defense has been Scrooge-ish under new coordinator — and former Walton head coach — Mo Dixon.

Dixon should have a working knowledge of Roswell’s offense, having sent out Walton teams three times against the Hornets.

He can’t expunge that 0-3 head coaching record against Roswell, but he can get some measure of revenge with a Packers win on Friday.

And he can somewhat even a score against Kemper. Pope High, then coached by Kemper, defeated Walton in 2014.

Although quarterback Malik Willis and running back Sheldon Evans, who damaged the Packers so much in Roswell last year, have graduated, Dixon’s defense will face a capable Roswell offense.

Senior quarterback Cordel Littlejohn, who stands 6-foot-4, has completed 15-of-35 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown in Roswell’s two games.

Taking the place of Sheldon, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards last season, is junior Kamonty Jett, a 210-pounder who has gained 322 yards and scored three touchdowns so far.

In the win over Central Gwinnett, Jett carried 40 times for 223 yards and those three scores.

It was his 8-yard run in overtime that let the Hornets escape a Central Gwinnett team that had jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead. He also scored on runs of 19 and 3 yards and Littlejohn had 63- yard scoring scamper.