If there was one team in the Class AAAAA field that had a chance of slowing down Lassiter’s record-setting passing game, it was thought that perhaps Colquitt County was that team.
The Packers, who run a similar spread scheme, practice against the offense every day. Plus, Colquitt County coach Rush Propst and Lassiter’s Chip Lindsey worked together on the staff at Alabama’s Hoover High in 2007.
Colquitt County did not disappoint. The Packers intercepted quarterback Hutson Mason five times, including two that were returned for touchdowns, recorded six sacks and held the Trojans to one late offensive touchdown in a surprisingly easy 46-17 victory in the quarterfinals on Friday night.
Colquitt County (11-2), the No. 3 seed from Region 1-AAAAA, advanced to next week’s semifinals and will play at defending state champion Camden County, which eliminated North Gwinnett in another quarterfinal. Lassiter’s best season in school history ended at 12-1.
“It’s kinda one of those deals where the strength of their team is maybe not our strength,” Lindsey said. “Up front, good size, good speed. They did a good job of executing their game plan, and they gave us a lot of trouble.”
The key play came midway through the second quarter, with Lassiter leading 10-7 and threatening to score again. Lassiter faced a fourth-and goal at the Colquitt County 4, but the Packers’ Willie McCrary intercepted a pass that deflected off the receiver’s hands and returned it 94 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. The extra-point attempt was blocked by Niles Clark, but Colquitt County led 13-10 and never trailed again.
The Packers broke away in the third quarter. Derrell Ward returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown, and the Packers had 31- and 42-yard field goals.
Lassiter took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter on a 20-yard field goal by Alex Hanks and a 58-yard punt return by Griffin Roelle. Colquitt County responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by Quin Roberson to cut the lead to 10-7 at the end of the first quarter. It was all Colquitt County the rest of the way.
For Mason, the five interceptions equaled the number he had thrown in the first 12 games. He finished 27-for-50 for 256 yards. It was the first time this season he did not throw a touchdown pass. For the year, he passed for 4,522 yards and 54 touchdowns, both state records.
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