Propst: It's a border war

September 24, 2010

Colquitt County Sr High School


By Wayne Grandy of 'The Moultrie Observer'

MOULTRIE - Rush Propst makes no bones about it.

"It's a border war for us," the Colquitt County head coach said about tonight's game between his Packers and G.W. Carver High of Montgomery, Ala. "It's Alabama against Georgia.

"Our kids hear a lot about Alabama football from me and I'm going to try to use that to our advantage."

Propst, of course, coached football in Alabama for 28 years and won five state championships while at Hoover High.

Tonight's game will mark his first shot at an Alabama school.

And it is a good one.

The Wolverines are 4-0 and are ranked No. 7 in this week's Class 6A poll.

And Propst says he expects Carver will feel as if it representing Alabama against a top Georgia program coached by a former successful Alabama coach.

"I was there and we respected South Georgia football," Propst said. "But Alabama believes it plays the best football. It's a pride thing. They will be on a mission.

"And we'll be on a mission."

The Wolverines also may have one other factor going for them.

They may believe they are a legitimate contender for a state championship in Alabama's largest classification.

This game will give Carver a chance to measure itself.

And although 4-0, the Wolverines have not played a team with offensive capabilities the Packers possess.

 "No one can slow us down if we come to play and execute," Propst said. "Our offense has got to carry the load."

Colquitt will take a 2-3 record and a two-game winning streak into the game, which will start at 7:30 tonight at Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium.

The Packers defense has struggled at times and will be tested again by the Wolverines.

Strong-armed sophomore quarterback Jeremy Johnson has passed for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns in an offense that is much like the one Propst has employed for much of the last decade.

But the Wolverines have added a twist.

Carver likes to sprint Johnson out.

"They like to get him on the perimeter," Propst said. "That's their ‘make-a-living' play. And when he gets out there, he's going to chunk in downfield."