Rush Propst on Colquitt County this spring (Moultrie Observer)

[94Packer]

 

• By Matthew Brown

 

 

MOULTRIE – The next phase has arrived. Only three months from now, a new high school football season officially begins, so now's the time to start building depth charts and competing for starting jobs.

For Colquitt County High and head coach Rush Propst, an offseason only about weight training will give way to some actual field work in full pads for the annual ritual of spring practice. Starting this year, there is a new twist, the spring scrimmage game against another school to go along with the intrasquad game that takes up part of the allotted 10 days to get in all this preparation.

The time is also needed, as it seems to be every season, to get acquainted with new members of the assistant staff. Propst's biggest opening this year was for defensive coordinator. The special teams coordinator, Evan McKissack, left for a new job in Kentucky, and Propst recently announced that receivers coach Josh Crawford is joining Crisp County High head coach Shelton Felton's staff as offensive coordinator.

 

The Packers are coming off an 8-5 season. It was a year that saw the end of a 30-game, two-championship season winning streak but also the program's third straight region championship. The 2016 team had its large share of senior players, some with a college football future, but that number is going to take a drastic turn in the other direction for the Class of 2017-18.

While there is the aforementioned spring scrimmage on May 20 at Drew High School in Clayton County, and an August scrimmage at home vs. Coffee, the first tilt that goes into the record books is Aug. 19. Everyone was waiting, holding their breath, on what would happen with the Corky Kell Classic now that the Georgia Dome is closed. While the Packers knew they would be paired with an Atlanta-area nemesis in Norcross High, it wasn't until April that the Kell Classic made the deal to play at Georgia State University's new football home, the stadium formerly known as Turner Field.

That's all that spring football serves as the springboard towards.

"I think it's the most important spring we've had here probably since 2011," said Propst on Thursday. "Maybe 2008. This is my 10th spring here, so I'm treating this spring like the first spring and 2011 when I wasn't here when I was sick. There are so many unanswered questions on this football team. There are some talented players. Most of them are very young."

The coach went on to say there will be some players missing from spring participation due to disciplinary actions.

"Personally, I hate spring this late," said Propst. "But it's the animal that we have.

"We are going in a different direction defensively, installing new schemes. We're going to install new ways of doing things special teams wise. The offense won't change very much although we will adapt to some of our strengths."

As for the numbers in the senior class, Propst estimates it will be 22 when the regular season gets here, and that will be Colquitt's lowest number in his tenure. Another estimation is that nine would be starters if they played a real game right now.

"That doesn't mean some can't earn a position, whether it be special teams or a back-up position," said Propst. "Or a starting position on their accountability in practice.

"Senior-wise, the roster is thin at best. What that means is we're in for a rough year. We're not going to approach it that way, but we are thin in the senior class."

Among those experienced seniors on offense are lineman Tyler Howard and slot receiver Cam Singletary. Stepping in at quarterback is Steven Krajewski one year after transferring from Michigan.

"He's unique in the fact that he's a talented player who has already received several scholarship offers," said Propst. "He's first got to win for us. He has the tools absolutely."

Rising seniors who saw spot action out of the backfield are TyRan Shealy and Demarlon Lewis.

"Defensively, obviously there's J.J. Peterson and Kyante Rivers, Kaleb Dawson and Jarvis Christopher, Dante Moore, Quen McNeil," said Propst.

Peterson is everybody's All-American as the No. 1 outside linebacker and a nominee to play in the All-American Bowl sponsored by the U.S. Army.

If the senior class can be described as thin, the juniors and sophomores list is enormous. It's in the 40s for each, the number of seniors Propst is used to seeing.

There are several sophomores who impacted the 2016 season while others primed themselves on junior varsity. In spring ball, Propst said it's up to them to determine their "pecking order."

"Young guys are trying to show what they're made of," he said. "It's the first time those (rising sophomores) go against somebody older. 'Where do I fit?' They have a lot to prove."

Propst will release the names of new assistants upon school board approval. Again, he said he doesn't like "cramming" spring football in the final weeks of the school year as he could add as many as five new coaches.

 

"I am pleased with who we managed to offer jobs to," said Propst. "(Football) jobs are won or lost starting Monday. We can only gain an idea of how we look in the weight room January through April."

After the May 20 game, Propst said there will be more lifting the week of finals and then a 10-day break until the first week of June. That's the next phase's opening time, the summer program.

"Seventy-five to 80 percent of jobs are won in the spring," said Propst. "Fifteen to 20 percent are won later on in the summer. You can still gain No. 1 status depending on what summer you have.

“There's always an evaluation going on. If a kid earns a right to be a starter in spring ball, it doesn't give them the right to be a starter the first day of fall camp. Usually it takes until the end of September to solidify a player's position."

Fans will get to see officiated game action on Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium on May 12, the starting time still to be determined between 6 and 7 p.m. The game at Drew adds a new way to evaluate.

"I think it helps the kids' mindset," said Propst. "Their attention span, we'll keep it the whole spring. In the past, after that first week, they get bored with it because they know the game's a million miles away. I like it from the kids' perspective."

One change to note in the 2017 schedule is that Cocoa High, originally the Homecoming opponent for Sept. 29, is replaced by Holy Trinity Episcopal of Melbourne, Fla. The Tigers went 6-3 last season and played in Georgia beating Memorial Day in Garden City 35-7.

Propst also reminds fans that Colquitt has yet to beat Norcross. He said it will be unique to play in Turner Field with the nostalgia element, the 20-year home of the beloved Atlanta Braves.

"I hope we don't stay there after this," said Propst. "I hope we can work out a deal with Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The heat on the 19th of August at any outside venue's going to be brutal. One thing I have seen is I think there's more shade with the overhang for fans to get underneath. But the players will be in direct sunlight.

"Because of our recent success, we have the hardest time finding ball games. With a younger team, we have a tougher schedule (than 2016). And we were lucky to get that."

[FootballGuy]

19 minutes ago, 94Packer said:

 

• By Matthew Brown

 

 

MOULTRIE – The next phase has arrived. Only three months from now, a new high school football season officially begins, so now's the time to start building depth charts and competing for starting jobs.

For Colquitt County High and head coach Rush Propst, an offseason only about weight training will give way to some actual field work in full pads for the annual ritual of spring practice. Starting this year, there is a new twist, the spring scrimmage game against another school to go along with the intrasquad game that takes up part of the allotted 10 days to get in all this preparation.

The time is also needed, as it seems to be every season, to get acquainted with new members of the assistant staff. Propst's biggest opening this year was for defensive coordinator. The special teams coordinator, Evan McKissack, left for a new job in Kentucky, and Propst recently announced that receivers coach Josh Crawford is joining Crisp County High head coach Shelton Felton's staff as offensive coordinator.

 

The Packers are coming off an 8-5 season. It was a year that saw the end of a 30-game, two-championship season winning streak but also the program's third straight region championship. The 2016 team had its large share of senior players, some with a college football future, but that number is going to take a drastic turn in the other direction for the Class of 2017-18.

While there is the aforementioned spring scrimmage on May 20 at Drew High School in Clayton County, and an August scrimmage at home vs. Coffee, the first tilt that goes into the record books is Aug. 19. Everyone was waiting, holding their breath, on what would happen with the Corky Kell Classic now that the Georgia Dome is closed. While the Packers knew they would be paired with an Atlanta-area nemesis in Norcross High, it wasn't until April that the Kell Classic made the deal to play at Georgia State University's new football home, the stadium formerly known as Turner Field.

That's all that spring football serves as the springboard towards.

"I think it's the most important spring we've had here probably since 2011," said Propst on Thursday. "Maybe 2008. This is my 10th spring here, so I'm treating this spring like the first spring and 2011 when I wasn't here when I was sick. There are so many unanswered questions on this football team. There are some talented players. Most of them are very young."

The coach went on to say there will be some players missing from spring participation due to disciplinary actions.

"Personally, I hate spring this late," said Propst. "But it's the animal that we have.

"We are going in a different direction defensively, installing new schemes. We're going to install new ways of doing things special teams wise. The offense won't change very much although we will adapt to some of our strengths."

As for the numbers in the senior class, Propst estimates it will be 22 when the regular season gets here, and that will be Colquitt's lowest number in his tenure. Another estimation is that nine would be starters if they played a real game right now.

"That doesn't mean some can't earn a position, whether it be special teams or a back-up position," said Propst. "Or a starting position on their accountability in practice.

"Senior-wise, the roster is thin at best. What that means is we're in for a rough year. We're not going to approach it that way, but we are thin in the senior class."

Among those experienced seniors on offense are lineman Tyler Howard and slot receiver Cam Singletary. Stepping in at quarterback is Steven Krajewski one year after transferring from Michigan.

"He's unique in the fact that he's a talented player who has already received several scholarship offers," said Propst. "He's first got to win for us. He has the tools absolutely."

Rising seniors who saw spot action out of the backfield are TyRan Shealy and Demarlon Lewis.

"Defensively, obviously there's J.J. Peterson and Kyante Rivers, Kaleb Dawson and Jarvis Christopher, Dante Moore, Quen McNeil," said Propst.

Peterson is everybody's All-American as the No. 1 outside linebacker and a nominee to play in the All-American Bowl sponsored by the U.S. Army.

If the senior class can be described as thin, the juniors and sophomores list is enormous. It's in the 40s for each, the number of seniors Propst is used to seeing.

There are several sophomores who impacted the 2016 season while others primed themselves on junior varsity. In spring ball, Propst said it's up to them to determine their "pecking order."

"Young guys are trying to show what they're made of," he said. "It's the first time those (rising sophomores) go against somebody older. 'Where do I fit?' They have a lot to prove."

Propst will release the names of new assistants upon school board approval. Again, he said he doesn't like "cramming" spring football in the final weeks of the school year as he could add as many as five new coaches.

 

"I am pleased with who we managed to offer jobs to," said Propst. "(Football) jobs are won or lost starting Monday. We can only gain an idea of how we look in the weight room January through April."

After the May 20 game, Propst said there will be more lifting the week of finals and then a 10-day break until the first week of June. That's the next phase's opening time, the summer program.

"Seventy-five to 80 percent of jobs are won in the spring," said Propst. "Fifteen to 20 percent are won later on in the summer. You can still gain No. 1 status depending on what summer you have.

“There's always an evaluation going on. If a kid earns a right to be a starter in spring ball, it doesn't give them the right to be a starter the first day of fall camp. Usually it takes until the end of September to solidify a player's position."

Fans will get to see officiated game action on Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium on May 12, the starting time still to be determined between 6 and 7 p.m. The game at Drew adds a new way to evaluate.

"I think it helps the kids' mindset," said Propst. "Their attention span, we'll keep it the whole spring. In the past, after that first week, they get bored with it because they know the game's a million miles away. I like it from the kids' perspective."

One change to note in the 2017 schedule is that Cocoa High, originally the Homecoming opponent for Sept. 29, is replaced by Holy Trinity Episcopal of Melbourne, Fla. The Tigers went 6-3 last season and played in Georgia beating Memorial Day in Garden City 35-7.

Propst also reminds fans that Colquitt has yet to beat Norcross. He said it will be unique to play in Turner Field with the nostalgia element, the 20-year home of the beloved Atlanta Braves.

"I hope we don't stay there after this," said Propst. "I hope we can work out a deal with Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The heat on the 19th of August at any outside venue's going to be brutal. One thing I have seen is I think there's more shade with the overhang for fans to get underneath. But the players will be in direct sunlight.

"Because of our recent success, we have the hardest time finding ball games. With a younger team, we have a tougher schedule (than 2016). And we were lucky to get that."

1. You gotta love that man Rush. He's trying his damndest to get in that new stadium...lol.

2. You would think because of the loss of seniority they'd be able to find opponents whether it be in state or out of state. I guess no out of state opponents really care to play colquitt besides Holy Trinity and Vista Murrieta.

[noonereal]

No link was available? 

Two posts is a day of scrolling. 

[noonereal]

2 minutes ago, FootballGuy said:

1. You gotta love that man Rush. He's trying his damndest to get in that new stadium...lol.

2. You would think because of the loss of seniority they'd be able to find opponents whether it be in state or out of state. I guess no out of state opponents really care to play colquitt besides Holy Trinity and Vista Murrieta.

He doesn't know what having a hard time scheduling is. 

This is the same guy that refused to sign to play Bosco, right? (With a contract on his desk)

But, this is why I like him. He's so needy. So attention starved. But he backs it up with his coaching. 

[Rufus69]

17 minutes ago, noonereal said:

No link was available? 

Two posts is a day of scrolling. 

Bitch...Bitch...Bitch....

(Smile)

 

 

Rufus>>

[94Packer]

26 minutes ago, noonereal said:

No link was available? 

Two posts is a day of scrolling. 

The Moultrie Observer allows a limited # of Clicks on articles from individual computers before a subscription is required. I copied and pasted it to save everyone the trouble of having to leave prep gridiron and go to the site, see the pop up ad's and limit the number of views they can have on the Observers website. Granted you yourself probably will not visit the Observers website enough for the number of visits to matter... I didn't extend this courtesy for you. There are others on this site that will appreciate this.

[CCBlackhatter]

28 minutes ago, noonereal said:

He doesn't know what having a hard time scheduling is. 

This is the same guy that refused to sign to play Bosco, right? (With a contract on his desk)

But, this is why I like him. He's so needy. So attention starved. But he backs it up with his coaching. 

The contract that was signed and sent before any negotiations were made?

The same contract (based on your timeline previously provided) that arrived pre-negotiation AND after Plant was signed to fill the final vacancy in a week that Bosco isn't permitted to play football?

You are on par with Trump when it comes to delivering alternative facts to the masses.

[CCBlackhatter]

Please remove Colquitt from your GA Top 10 lists immediately. Rush has spoken...

Rufus and myself have tried to tell you all this for months now, and we only share the GOSPEL!

[noonereal]

16 minutes ago, Rufus69 said:

Bitch...Bitch...Bitch....

(Smile)

 

 

Rufus>>

 

it's what I do.

I figure rules and etiquette should be followed.....

On the roads, it not good. I am ultra fair but if you attempt to be a wise guy, forgetaboutit. 

I have had more than one stand still traffic accident at the GW bridge and Holland Tunnel. 

I need to work on that...

People that park in handicapped or in fire zones, I always  compliment on getting great spaces....

I honestly wish I were better than this. 

 

[noonereal]

11 minutes ago, 94Packer said:

The Moultrie Observer allows a limited # of Clicks on articles from individual computers before a subscription is required. I copied and pasted it to save everyone the trouble of having to leave prep gridiron and go to the site, see the pop up ad's and limit the number of views they can have on the Observers website. Granted you yourself probably will not visit the Observers website enough for the number of visits to matter... I didn't extend this courtesy for you. There are others on this site that will appreciate this.

pay no attention to me.... I sure would,t

good thread 

[noonereal]

9 minutes ago, CCBlackhatter said:

The contract that was signed and sent before any negotiations were made?

The same contract (based on your timeline previously provided) that arrived pre-negotiation AND after Plant was signed to fill the final vacancy in a week that Bosco isn't permitted to play football?

You are on par with Trump when it comes to delivering alternative facts to the masses.

Is that the story now.... good to see it has blossomed. 

Hey, Rush played the toughest schedule in the country that year, just ask him. 

[Rufus69]

Just now, CCBlackhatter said:

Please remove Colquitt from your GA Top 10 lists immediately. Rush has spoken...

Rufus and myself have tried to tell you all this for months now, and we only share the GOSPEL!

I was asked point blank yesterday about Colquitt 2017...from a Camden supporter.  I told him the truth (truth is someone's interpretation of the facts).  Colquitt has potential.  But we have no clue at this point.  We have hopes.  We have prayers.  We have Hybrid Arnett grits.  But we just don't know for sure.

It's like Rush said just the other day.  "Rufus, if our O-Line can gel...and our secondary can solidify...and we find ourselves a punter and five or six good coaches...I think we have a shot at making the playoffs in 1-AAAAAAA".

GOSPEL !!!!!

 

 

Rufus>>

[noonereal]

6 minutes ago, CCBlackhatter said:

Please remove Colquitt from your GA Top 10 lists immediately. Rush has spoken...

Rufus and myself have tried to tell you all this for months now, and we only share the GOSPEL!

I am expecting big things, seriously, from Rush in 18. 

Are my expectations correct? 

[CCBlackhatter]

3 minutes ago, noonereal said:

I am expecting big things, seriously, from Rush in 18. 

Are my expectations correct? 

Expectations are high for all of us in 2018, but you never know what you're going to get.

Obviously a lot can change in the next year and a half.

[noonereal]

Just now, CCBlackhatter said:

Expectations are high for all of us in 2018, but you never know what you're going to get.

Obviously a lot can change in the next year and a half.

You know, most you GA posters really don't "get" that I am a Colquitt fan. 

OK, I am not so much a Colquitt fan as I am a Rush fan. 

I just love his blend of awkward "notice me," great coaching and placement of his players. 

[CCBlackhatter]

21 minutes ago, Rufus69 said:

I was asked point blank yesterday about Colquitt 2017...from a Camden supporter.  I told him the truth (truth is someone's interpretation of the facts).  Colquitt has potential.  But we have no clue at this point.  We have hopes.  We have prayers.  We have Hybrid Arnett grits.  But we just don't know for sure.

It's like Rush said just the other day.  "Rufus, if our O-Line can gel...and our secondary can solidify...and we find ourselves a punter and five or six good coaches...I think we have a shot at making the playoffs in 1-AAAAAAA".

GOSPEL !!!!!

 

 

Rufus>>

Sounds accurate. In simpler terms, we are starting out with about half of what we need, but we're gunna try and get er done with what we got to work with!

[noonereal]

3 minutes ago, CCBlackhatter said:

Expectations are high for all of us in 2018, but you never know what you're going to get.

tell me about it! 

Bosco was all set to repeat as MNC in 12 and 13 and then BAM! transfers injuries hostile administration. 

The program has never recovered. 

 

[CCBlackhatter]

Just now, noonereal said:

tell me about it! 

Bosco was all set to repeat as MNC in 12 and 13 and then BAM! transfers injuries hostile administration. 

The program has never recovered. 

 

We don't have to worry so much about guys transferring out of the program (if that is what you meant). We do however deal with injuries (which fortunately have been limited in severity the last few years), assistant coaching changes (probably our biggest obstacle annually), and a rather limited talent pool to reload from (mainly linemen).

[94Packer]

1 minute ago, noonereal said:

I am expecting big things, seriously, from Rush in 18. 

Are my expectations correct? 

I believe the teams for 18,19,and 20 are going to be phenomenal. The kids coming through the program now as upcoming freshmen were the 1st class as 6th graders to play in the program. This will be their 4th year learning the program and they are only going to be freshmen. I think there is a lot to be said for the consistency of these kids playing together over a long term and meshing as a team that truly knows the program before they step foot under the Friday night lights. As a side note playing as a team the upcoming freshmen haven't lost a single game no losses as 6th,7th, or 8th graders. The class behind them the class of 2022 has lost 1 game in the past two years. There is definitely talent coming up through the ranks. I would remember the names Zy Brockington, Orion Bonner,  Jamaree Hill, Taj Sanders, and Jamad Willis. These kids are going to be huge playmakers in the near future