Colquitt wins preseason opener 42-17

Quarterback Wade Sumner and running back Marquavious Jefferson each scored touchdowns in the Coffee Trojans’ preseason scrimmage Thursday night against the Colquitt County Packers in Moultrie. The Trojans also saw something they haven’t seen in quite a while – a field goal in excess of 30 yards – courtesy of Pancho Rivas’s leg in the third quarter.

Despite the bright spots, the Trojans fell to the Packers 42-17 on a hot, muggy night in Moultrie. The Packers, who have won two of the last three state titles in Georgia’s highest classification, scored early and often against Coffee. Colquitt found the end zone the first three times they touched the ball then added a fourth touchdown after a miscue on a snap led to a bad punt that a Packer ran in for another score. It didn’t take long for the Trojans to find themselves in a 27-0 hole.

Coffee got on the board with 48 seconds left in the second quarter when Sumner danced into the end zone from two yards out. The point after missed its mark and the Trojans went into halftime trailing 27-6.

Early in the third quarter, the Trojans turned a Packer turnover into points. Dalrone Donaldson, normally a wide receiver, was in the game at defensive back when he picked off a Colquitt pass and returned the interception deep into Packer territory. The Trojans couldn’t get much momentum and the drive quickly stalled. A five-yard penalty backed up Coffee five yards, which ultimately led to a 36-yard field goal attempt. Rivas’s kick was good and the Trojans took a small bite out of Colquitt’s lead.

Later in the period, Jefferson added another score. The Trojans went for two and Sumner converted on a keeper to get Coffee within 10. That’s as close as the Trojans would get. Colquitt scored again in the third quarter then, in a fourth quarter that saw the starters for both sides on the bench, the Pack scored again.

It’s always hard to tell exactly what to bring away from a preseason game like this one. As you might expect, there were some bright spots and some troubling moments. Jameon Gaskin, one of the state’s best linebackers and a preseason All-State selection, spent a lot of time at running back and played well out of the backfield. Marquavious Jefferson and Antonio Dawson also looked good at running back. Preseason All-State wide receiver Milton Jackson didn’t play while Jarquavious Jefferson, another preseason All-State selection, suffered an injury early in the game and didn’t play after the first few minutes. He was seen walking around on crutches on the sidelines.

The Trojans return to Statesboro for the Erk Russell Classic on Aug. 18, where they will face Effingham County at 8 p.m. for the season opener.