MOULTRIE – In its first season of competition, the 2023 Colquitt County flag football team posted an 11-1-1 record and reached the state playoffs, where it suffered its only loss.
Colquitt coach Kirk Woodall said that first group of Lady Packers “set the standard very high.”
Despite the loss of a number of key players gone via graduation – including two who are likely to be college starters next season – Woodall says the way is still clear for the 2024 team.
“We’ve got to keep the standard,” he said.
“I think we’ve got a good team,” said Woodall, who will send his Lady Packers out for their season openers on Tuesday beginning with a 4 p.m. game against Peach County and a 7:45 p.m. game against Fitzgerald on Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium.
“We got a lot of recognition last year. We want to continue to be one of the teams people talk about.”
Among the players the Lady Packers must replace are Nyleigha Knighton and D’Zeriyah Polite, both of whom signed with Point University. Both are expected to start for the Skyhawks next spring.
But the cupboard was not left bare.
All-region players Amareyia Knighton, Caylnn Singletary and Ta’Meria Williams – all of whom are extremely athletic and have received college offers – return, as does talented quarterback Mashayla Davis.
“She has a lot of game experience,” Woodall said of Davis.
Other experienced players who are back this season are junior Jaelyn Wier, senior Melissa Breedlove and sophomore Ta’Ayonna Singletary.
Woodall said he is looking forward to the return of senior Montana Tatum, who is currently playing on the Lady Packers softball team.
He also singled out sophomore Aubrey Edge, who, he said, “has really good ball skills.”
Taylor Huewitt, another sophomore, is making strides as part of the two-quarterback that Woodall prefers.
“We’ve got some talented ninth- and 10-graders coming along,” Woodall said.
Those and others just need game experience to become contributing players.
The Lady Packers will play an expanded and more challenging 22-game schedule this season.
An October 16-17 trip to the Atlanta area will include games against Milton, South Forsyth, Hiram and Centennial.
“Three of those are playoff teams,” he said.
And on October 26, the Lady Packers will travel to Brooklet to compete in the Southeast Bulloch tournament.
One of their opponents will be Southeast Bulloch, which has a program record of 62-0. They also will face Oconee County and Dodge County.
Colquitt will play in Area 1 in Division 4, the largest classification.
Also in Area 1 will be Baker County, Lowndes, Thomas County Central, Thomasville and Valdosta.
On Tuesday, after Colquitt plays Peach County, Thomas County Central will face Peach and then Fitzgerald.
Colquitt will meet Fitzgerald in the day’s final game.
Fitzgerald is starting its flag football program this year.
The Peach County program is in its third season, but will have a new coach this year.
Colquitt will be back at The Hawg Pen on Thursday, October 3 to face Warner Robins at 4 p.m. and Dougherty at 7:45 p.m.
Baker County also will take part and will face the other two teams.
“I think we are ready,” Woodall said. “I feel good about where we are. We had some very strong practices last week.”
Woodall noted that several of last year’s players, including Jamya Moore and Dalivia McBride, have shown up at practice to support and encourage the 2024 team.
“They helped build something,” Woodall said. “We want to keep it going.”