MOULTRIE — Colquitt County track coach Dextra Polite has done his homework and by his calculation, the Packers need to score 60 points at this week’s all-classification state track meet to have a chance to pull a big upset.

Redan, which won the state meet with 83 points last year, is again among the favorites. Stephenson could make a run as well.

So could the Packers, winners of two straight Region 1-AAAAA championships.

And many of those who will be competing over the next three days at the state meet in Jefferson are veterans of last year’s meet.

Led by senior Jamal Hayes, the Packers rolled through the region meet, scoring 111 points. Hayes won the 400 and the 200 and anchored the 4×100 relay team that also finished first.

Hayes will compete in those events and the long jump and will anchor the 4×400 team at Jefferson.

“The other guys feed off of him,” Polite said Wednesday as the Packers prepare for the field events that will be held today.

James Trimble will compete in the discus and shot put events that will held at noon and 2 p.m. respectively today.

Orion Ponder will be in field for the triple jump, which also will be held at 2 p.m. Ponder was fourth in the triple jump at the state meet last year.

Hayes, who has signed to run for LSU next season, will get his first taste of his final high school competition when he takes part in the long jump, beginning at 6 tonight.

“We’ve got a chance to do real well in the field events,” Polite said. “That will play a big part in how we do.”

The qualifying heats for the running events will be held on Friday, with the finals to be held on Saturday.

Hayes is a high school All-American in the 200 and has one of the nation’s top times in the 400 this year. He will be among the favorites in both events.

Last year, Hayes was second in 200 behind Justin Oliver of Redan, who ran a 21.38.

Hayes turned in a 21.5 to win the event at the region meet at Hugh Mills Stadium last week.

After finishing behind Oliver and Morrow’s Michael Proctor in the 400 last year, Hayes has a legitimate shot at winning that event this year as well.

Oliver ran a 46.5 last spring. Hayes had a 47.4 at the region meet last week.

The Packers also have a shot of earning some points in the 100 meters, where Vance Cuff has emerged as a threat this year.

Just a junior, Cuff won the 100 meters at the region meet with a 10.6. That is exactly the time Redan’s David Chaplin ran to win the state championship last year.

Colquitt finished fourth in the state meet last year in the 4×100.

The Packers current 4×100 relay team of B.J. Howard, Cuff, Ponder and Hayes won at region with a 41.9. Last year’s winning time at state was 41.21.

Cuff runs the second leg and does an excellent job, Polite said.

“Then Orion will keep it up tight,” Polite said, adding that the Packers could surprise some people in the event.

“You know, on any given day,” he said. “We haven’t reached our peak in the 4×1 yet.”

Colquitt also will enter the 4×400 with Terry McDaniel, Channing Hudson, Jacolby King and Hayes.

“Jamal anchors all races,” Polite said. “We just need to keep everything close. He’ll bring it to the house.”

Polite said he would also take Mitchell Thompson, Vandy McBride, Dominique Hunt, Dannie Hunt and Dontrell Johnson as alternates.

“We’ve got a good, hard-working group,” Polite said. “They’re ready. They’ve got a chance to make a statement.

“I’m anxious to see how we respond.”