5 reasons why Colquitt County (GA) can reach the AAAAAAA state championship game

The Packers feel pretty good about their crew heading into the 2023 opener against Dutch Fork (SC) on Aug. 19

MOULTRIE, GEORGIA- It’s been a minute for the Colquitt County Packers when talking seriously about the chase towards a state championship. 

We know the last time the folks of Moultrie celebrated a state crown was back in 2015 when Colquitt County defeated Roswell 30-13, capping a perfect 15-0 season. The perfect season. 

Since then? Colquitt County made the state championship game a couple more times before the Rush Propst Era came to an abrupt end, thus being followed by some good seasons. Just good, but by Packers’ standards more like average. 

Now this team as presently constructed heading into 2023 may pose the most talented club since 2018 and could be one looking to reach Atlanta. Just falling short against Carrollton in the state semifinals, Sean Calhoun’s crew may have what it takes to make it all the way back to the big dance. We give you five reasons we think they can do it. 

5. Stout defensive line will force sacks, turnovers 

The backbone of the Colquitt County defense was the front seven unit, especially the defensive line. Colquitt County was able to tally 31.5 sacks, 78 quarterback hurries and nearly 30 turnovers. Leading the way on the front four is Duke commitment Tyshon Reed Jr. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end wreaks havoc against most offensive lines and had 33 tackles, with 10 going for a loss in 2022. 

4. Talented receiving corps 

There’s not many receiver groups in AAAAAAA that can match up to the kind of returning experience that the Packers have at their disposal. The two players that lead the way are 5-star rated tight end Landen Thomas and 4-star wide receiver Ny Carr. Thomas, a Florida State commitment, is a nightmare matchup for any secondary because of his rare combination of size, speed and catching ability. Carr, a Georgia commit, on the other hand is an absolute burner on the outside with his track speed. The pair combined for just under 2,000 yards receiving a year ago and may be able to exceed that this fall. 

3. Sean Calhoun effect 

When Sean Calhoun returned to Moultrie to become the head coach of the Packers, it was a reunion that was a long time coming. Calhoun was once the offensive coordinator at Colquitt County under Propst in 2014-2015, both seasons the Packers came away with state championships. From 2016-2020, Calhoun was the head coach at Carrollton before a brief stint at Vestavia Hills. With the kind of experience he had beforehand, expectations were high for the Packers under his watch and a return to greatness seemed imminent. 

2. Neko Fann has all the tools to lead Colquitt County back 

If you’re looking to judge Fann based on the number of offers he does or doesn’t have, you’ve come to the wrong place. Fann is as versatile on the gridiron as he is on baseball diamond. The dual-threat quarterback may not be the heralded five or four star recruit that some teams have, but Fann leads by example with his arm and legs. Coming off a season in which Fann threw for over 2,600 yards and added another 500-plus on the ground, he’s got all the ability in the world to lead the Packers to where they want to go. 

1. The desire and will to be back in Atlanta 

We can say mostly every fan base in South Georgia yearns to be back in the state championship game against a northern Georgia school. For Colquitt County, however, it’s been a heck of a lot more recent that they’ve seen themselves in that very position before. Back-to-back state championships in 2014 and 2015, with visits in 2017-2018 has this program and players within it reminiscing in the good times they once had. The 229 wants to be back playing for a trophy and the desire, will, experience and talent is all there for the Packers. It’s a matter of just doing it. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.