Courtesy of Walter Pinion

Rush Propst took his Colquitt County Packers all the way to the state finals one year ago but has a chance Friday to do something he hasn’t done during his tenure in Moultrie: win a Region 1-AAAAA title. Propst’s explosive offense will travel to Valdosta to face the Wildcats with a shot at completing a perfect region slate. While Cole Seagraves, Ty Smith and the rest of the offense can dent a scoreboard like few others, the Packers have also scored six non-offensive touchdowns this season. If that trend continues, Propst could be hoisting a GHSA state title in December.

One man that has hoisted GHSA state titles before is Valdosta coach Rance Gillespie. The Wildcats coach has his team in a position to win the region with a victory at home in Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Despite losing Jay Rome and Malcolm Mitchell to the University of Georgia, Valdosta can still make some noise this postseason thanks in large part to former Packer quarterback Shelby Wilkes, now under center for Valdosta.

Region 7-AAAAA will also be on the line tonight on GPB TV when Peachtree Ridge travels to North Gwinnett to face the Bulldogs. Bob Sphire’s team is looking for its third region title in a row and his third straight win over the Lions of Peachtree Ridge. Scotty Hosch leads an offense that recently rallied from down 22 points at Norcross to keep its region hopes alive. Joe Jones and Donnie Miles each scored two touchdowns apiece last Friday in a victory over Duluth.

Peachtree Ridge is looking to give new coach Mark Fleetwood a region crown in his first season as head coach in Suwanee. The Lions attack can run with Diandre Atwater and Raham Dixon as well as pass with Billy Best and Joe Horn. The defense isn’t shabby either, allowing just 15 points per game.