The Skinny
It’s no secret that the Colquitt County Packers have had tremendous amount of success in Coach Rush Probst’s tenure. In his 11 seasons, the Packers have missed the playoffs only once. They have won two state titles and have made deep runs in all of their playoff appearances in the last 10 years.
While the state may have come to expect a high level performance from the Packers each season, in 2018, the Packers do have some hurdles to overcome.
We asked Coach Probst about the biggest challenge coming into the 2018 season.
“(We are) inexperienced at the quarterback position, (the) task of finding a player that can do the minimum to help our offense generate points,” he said.
We asked about the outlook for the Packers this season.
Probst said, “We have a good nucleus of players returning with valuable playing experience. We also have great depth in numbers, and an excellent kicker returning for special teams.”
While the Packers are trying to find a replacement at quarterback, they do return a bevy of talent on offense, highlighted by running backs Daijun Edwards and Ty Leggett. Edwards and Leggett combined for over 2,300 yards rushing and 25 TDs in 2017. Leggett was a First Team All-Region selection in 2017 while Edwards was a Second Team All-Region selection.
The Packers also have the luxury of returning four experienced offensive lineman from last seasons team. All of whom wereAll-Region selections. William Rykard (First Team), Kamar Bell (First Team), Kameren Barnes (Second Team) and Jerick Davis (Honorable Mention) are all back to help pave the way for the Packers ground game.
A pair of Second Team All-Region selections are back to lead the Packers receiving corps. K.T. Wilson (356 yards, 5 TDs) and Josh Hadley (207 yards 2 TDs) will be called upon to help fill the void left by Cam Singletary. Marvion McDonald (230 yards 2 TDs) and Tyrique Williams are also names that we could here often for the Packers through the air.
The Colquitt County defense also returns a host of All-Region performers. The defensive line will be anchored by First Team All-Region selection Brian Merritt and All –Region Honorable Mention selection, Kree Herring. Merritt led the Packers in sacks last season with 7.5.
Colquitt also welcomes back three experienced linebackers, highlighted by All-State Honorable Mention selection Rashard Revels. Revels recorded a team high 201 total tackles and 5 sacks last season. He will be joined by Marcus Anderson, (Second Team All-Region) who was second on the team in total tackles, (with 148) and Camari Louis, an All-Region Honorable Mention selection.
The secondary will be patrolled by Jay Ward, Nyqann Washington and Kamrin Woods. Ward, a First Team All-Region selection, was second on the team in interceptions, with 4 last season. While Washington, a Second Team All-Region selection, led the Packers in picks with 5. Woods also garnered an All-Region Honorable Mention selection in 2017.
Let’s also not over look the fact that the Packers return Ryan Fitzgerald on special teams, as Coach Probst mentioned before. Fitzgerald was the special teams player of the year for Region 1-7A. He also earned First Team All-State honors as a kicker in 2017. His leg could prove to be a huge weapon again for the Packers.
We asked Coach Probst if there were any games on the schedule that were circled this season.
He replied, “The entire schedule, this is another challenging season.”
