MOULTRIE — Colquitt County High wrestling coach Greg Tillery said it is never easy when his team loses, but when his Packers fell by just three points to Cook High on Tuesday in their season-opener at the Pineland gymnasium, it was hard to be discouraged.

The freshman-dominated Packers gave up 12 points on forfeits at 103 and 189, but still made a run at the Hornets — who perennially have one of the top programs in southwest Georgia — before falling 42-39.

“I was real pleased with the effort we got,” said Tillery, the Packers first-year coach. “Four of the guys who got beat tonight lost to state qualifiers.”

Colquitt got six points from Nathan Fowler, who won by a first-period pin at 112. At 119 Lawrence Glenn won by forfeit. At 125, Jocorey Dillard was pinned in the second period. Tyler Dismuke was pinned in the first round at 130. At 135, two-time state qualifier Zacory Weaver won by pin.

Beau Weathers was pinned at 140, but Shawn Jiminez won by a second-period pin.

Taylor Huite and Emory Wheeler each lost by pins, but Justin Jones won by a 13-8 decision at 171.

At 215, Ricky Grier was pinned in the third period by a state champion.

Antonio Sutton, who was 35-3 last year, got his senior season off on the right foot with a first-period pin.

Colquitt County also wrestled six junior varsity matches, using all freshman, and fell 21-9.

Heath Lamb was pinned in the first period; Clarence Drew won by decision 11-6; Mason Jones lost by decision 12-8; Dillon Underwood won by pin in the first period; J.J. Prince lost by pin; and Chris Walsh lost by a second period pin.

All except Walsh, who wrestled on the middle school team last season, were competing in their first matches.

“I thought they wrestled well,” Tillery said.

The Packers will travel to Westover High in Albany on Thursday for a 5 p.m. match against Westover High and Tift County High.