Ryan Fitzgerald made headlines on Sunday as he successfully kicked a 49-yard field goal to lift the Carolina Panthers to a narrow 16-13 victory against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. This decisive kick came as time expired, marking Fitzgerald”s second game-winning field goal of the season.
Fitzgerald, a rookie who previously played for Colquitt County and Florida State, had already showcased his talent earlier this season. On October 12, he nailed a 33-yard field goal at the buzzer to secure a 30-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
With this latest triumph, the Panthers improved their record to 5-4, keeping their playoff hopes alive. In related news, freshman basketball player Amira Walters-Smith from Colquitt County earned the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association”s Women”s Player of the Week honor. She made a significant impact in her debut for Central Georgia Technical College on October 31, scoring 33 points and contributing across various stats in a 102-81 win against Denmark Technical College.
Several teams from Colquitt County and the surrounding regions are also gearing up for the state playoffs. Notably, three teams from Region 1-6A and three non-region opponents of the Packers have secured playoff spots. The Benedictine Cadets, who began their season with a close loss to the Packers, have turned things around with a remarkable seven-game winning streak to clinch the Region 1-4A title.
Meanwhile, North Gwinnett finished strong by winning its last nine games and will host South Gwinnett in the first playoff round. Lee County, after a competitive season, will travel to Marietta for their playoff opener against Sprayberry.
Former Packers quarterback Reggie Stancil is leading his Dacula Falcons into the playoffs as a No. 4 seed after finishing with a 5-5 record. They will face the Valdosta Wildcats, who are ranked fifth in Class 6A.
In coaching news, former Packers head coach Justin Rogers has guided the Thomas County Central team to another region title with a perfect 10-0 record. The Yellow Jackets are averaging an impressive 52 points per game and will host Woodstock in their playoff opener.
As the playoffs approach, teams like Worth County, Brookwood, and Cook High are also preparing for their first-round matchups, demonstrating the competitive spirit across the region.
In individual performances, Zay Williams recorded four receptions for 82 yards in a close game for Anderson University, while Neko Fann had a standout performance with two touchdown passes for Northwest Mississippi Community College.
As the season progresses, anticipation builds for the upcoming playoff matchups, showcasing the talent and determination of athletes from Colquitt County and beyond.
