Rush Propst says that when he took over the Colquitt County High football program in 2008, he inherited a team that had not only lost three of its previous 15 games but also one that was not getting the nourishment it needed to withstand his rigorous schedule.

“I thought my team was starving to death,” he said. “I couldn’t justify asking them to do what I wanted them to do.”

Fifty-two victories and four straight trips to the state semifinals later, Propst says he believes a nutrition program he instituted is a key component in the program’s success.

“We feel like it is the No. 1 thing giving us an edge over the last four years,” he said.

The football program’s nutrition program includes providing food for players six days a week.

Propst said many of his players do not get enough calories each day to sustain them through weight lifting, film study and practices.

The school lunch program helps, but provides only about 1,000 calories a day, Propst said.

“Our kids need 4,000-5,000 calories a day,” Propst said.

Many players get extra calories at home when they leave practice. But a large number of them don’t. And if they don’t, they are at greater risk for injury.

According to a story in Stack magazine, for every five pounds of lean muscle an athlete loses, the risk of injury increases by 30 percent.

So to ensure that his players receive the nutrition they need to handle a long and grueling season, Colquitt County has instituted a program that allows players to get extra calories in the field house and at sponsored meals.

Propst credits his wife Stefnie with studying nutritional needs of athletes and putting what she has learned into action for the benefit of the Packers. Stefnie plans and runs the program.

Much of the cost of the program comes from the football budget.

In a normal week during the season, the Packers will get up on game day and have breakfast sponsored by one of the community’s churches.

The players then will have their normal school lunch and then a pre-game meal before heading out to meet that night’s opponent.

Players are on their own on Saturdays.

Players return to the field house on Sunday and have a snack before practice. Food also is available after practice in the cafeteria area in the back of the field house.

Players get breakfast after their morning workouts on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and have pre-practice meals on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Food also is available for players who need it after practice on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Wednesday has long been hot dog supper night, with parents traditionally serving hot dogs, chili and french fries. Players are encouraged to eat as much as they want.

On Thursday, the players have the weekly team dinner. On the night before the Valdosta game, the menu included shrimp pasta salad, hash brown casserole, salad, rolls and dessert.

“We hope they go home and at 8 or 9 o’clock eat again,” Propst said.

But if coaches get calls from players saying they are hungry and don’t have food, they will make sure they get the nourishment they need.

Propst also said there are plenty of snacks, especially fruit, available for the players in the field house.

The community has become involved, from helping prepare and serve meals to donating food.

“This is one thing that we’ve got going here that is a real positive,” Propst said. “The food is so helpful to our kids.”