VALDOSTA —
After four games against lesser competition to begin the season, the Lowndes Vikings will face stiffer competition Friday night when they visit the Colquitt County Packers in the Region 1-AAAAAA opener for both teams at Mack Tharpe Stadium in Moultrie.
“Everybody over here is excited about starting the region up,” Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson said.
The meeting will be the first between the two teams since the Packers’ 34-7 blowout win over the Vikings last year in Moultrie.
When asked if his team has been talking about last year’s loss to the Packers, McPherson said his players haven’t forgotten about the second-worst loss at Lowndes since 2002.
“I’m telling you, (our players) want to win,” McPherson said. “We are going to do everything in our power to get it done...There has been some talk about (the loss). They don’t forget stuff like that, but we are just taking care of business and trying to get better.
“We are going up there to win the game,” McPherson continued. “It isn’t a secret what happened up there last year. I’m sure our team will be ready.”
The Packers’ win over the Vikings was their first over Lowndes under head coach Rush Propst, who has guided Colquitt County to three straight state semifinal appearances, including a state championship appearance in 2010.
Make no mistake, with the rise of Colquitt County, the Packers and Vikings are rivals.
“Man, I guess everybody is rivals,” McPherson said.
The Vikings hammered the Hardaway Hawks 57-0 on homecoming last Friday night, improving 4-0 on the season. It was Lowndes’ fifth shut out in its last seven games, dating back to the end of the 2011 regular season.
“I think that is the best we’ve played (this year),” McPherson said. “We just played better across the board, played faster (and we) didn’t make as many mistakes.”
During the Vikings’ blowout win over the Hawks, Packer head coach Rush Propst was seen watching from the visitors’ side bleachers. The Packers were idle on the night.
When asked if the Vikings didn’t show certain plays or formations because of the appearance of Propst, McPherson said the Vikings just simply put together a game plan and executed it.
The four-week period of using two quarterbacks will continue this week for the Vikings. Both senior Alex Stephenson and junior Seth Carlo will see action against the Packers, according to McPherson.
“I don’t really know, who exactly is going to play when and I don’t care,” McPherson said. “I know both of them bring stuff to the table. So, we are going to figure out their strengths and go with it.”
Colquitt County is also featuring a two-quarterback system as starter Cole Seagraves is splitting time with sophomore Daniel Mobley. McPherson said he sees no difference in the two Packer quarterbacks, who have combined to throw for 715 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
“There is a lot to plan for with their offense,” McPherson said. “We don’t see any difference in their quarterbacks. Both of them can play.”
Overall, McPherson came away impressed when viewing the film of Colquitt County.
“They are a very solid football team,” he said. “They are good, well coached, good on defense, good on offense.”
Tickets for Friday’s away game can be purchased in advance. Tickets are $7 for general admission tickets and $8 at the gate.
The stadium gates will open Friday afternoon at approximately 6:15 p.m., about 20 minutes prior to the stadium ticket booth opening and selling tickets. This will allow Viking fans, who purchase tickets in advance, to enter the stadium first and choose a seat. All Vikings fans that plan to travel to Moultrie for the game are urged to purchase their tickets in advance.
Tickets may also be purchased from the ticket office located in the Board of Education Annex at 1592 Norman Drive. Ticket office hours are 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to noon on Friday.
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Related Photos
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Lowndes senior quarterback Alex Stephenson will split time with junior Seth Carlo (pictured below) during Friday’s game with the Colquitt County Packers in Moultrie. Stephenson leads the Vikings with 166 yards passing this season. Pat Gallagher
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Lowndes junior quarterback Seth Carlo has completed 6 of his 13 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown this season. Carlo and the Vikings visit Colquitt County Friday night. Pat Gallagher
Discussion
Focused on Moultrie
Vikings preparing for region opener with Packers
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