SCOUTING REPORT : by Wayne Grandy | photos by Connie Southwell
Colquitt County rebuilds after losing 17 starters
COLQUITT COUNTY PACKERS
Region 1-6A
SCOUTING REPORT : by Wayne Grandy | photos by Connie Southwell
Colquitt County rebuilds after losing 17 starters
MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County football team rolled up 3,096 yards of passing offense last season en route to a 12-1 record and a berth in the state quarterfinals .
But only four pass-catchers who contributed to that total are back this season and they combined for just 257 yards .
And two of the four were running backs . The two who were listed as receivers had just four catches for 32 yards between them .
And , of course , record-setting quarterback Neko Fann has graduated .
The defense also was hard-hit by graduation as only 17 starters return .
The Colquitt County offense was especially dangerous the last three seasons and the team is trying to rebuild after losing such stalwart offensive performers as Fann , receivers Ny Carr , Landen Thomas and Zay Williams and four-year starting tackle Turk Daniels .
The Packers did get 982 rushing yards from Ramsey Dennis and 976 from Day ’ Shawn Brown last year , both of whom are returning .
But Dennis could spend much of his time helping shore up a depleted secondary .
So many question marks face one of the state ’ s top programs as it approaches its August 16 season-opener against West High School of Salt Lake City , Utah .
“ It ’ s challenging and exciting ,” said coach Sean Calhoun , who is starting his third season at the
Day ’ Shawn Brown ( 23 ) rushed for 976 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior last season for the Packers . He also caught six passes . His most productive performance came in the season-opening victory over Dutch Fork ( S . C .) in which he rushed for 161 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries . He also ran for 142 yards in the region victory over Lowndes .
Packers helm after going a combined 25-2 over the last two years .
“ This group is going to have to make its mark . But , you know , there was a time when nobody knew who Ny Carr was .”
Carr , of course , is the Packers all-time leader in touchdown pass receptions and holds the school record for career receiving yardage with 3,195 . He is currently a freshman playing at Miami .
The next Carr might come from a group of current relative-unknowns that includes Sam Miller , Ni ’ Shawn Osby , Na ’ Ryan Sumlin , Malik Walker , freshman Gavin Henderson and rising senior Ja ’ Mari Stokes , who also will play some running back this season as well .
Thomas played tight end for four seasons for the Packers before heading off to Florida State after catching 118 passes for 1,934 yards and 22 touchdowns .
This year ’ s tight end candidates , who are being coached by Buck Hanson , are Alexis Barge , Ethan Ruffin , Trey Edmonds and Carlton Keaton .
“ There is a lot of ability and potential in that group ,” Calhoun said of the receiving corps . “ They are athletic and talented . We are hoping for big things from them .”
Just who will be sending passes their way this season was still undecided as the season-opener approached .
Whether it is rising junior A ’ Zhiyen Alridge or promising freshman Cohen Lawson , the quarterback sweepstakes winner will play in the Fann ’ s long shadow .
Now competing for playing time at Mercer , Fann left Colquitt County with the school record in career touchdown passes ( 97 ), career passing yardage ( 7,823 ) and career total yardage ( 8,991 ).
Alridge attempted just five passes in his rare opportunities to run the Packers offense last season .
Cohen has made a favorable impression the last two years , but has yet to take a varsity snap .
6 2024 SOUTH GEORGIA FOOTBALL