ITG Next is pleased to announce that it has joined forces with the U.S. Army’s Valdosta Recruiting Company to identify and award one South Georgia high school sports program each month from August through December 2026.
This collaboration between ITG Next and the Army seeks to recognize a South Georgia team that has demonstrated the same core values that the Army looks for in its recruits, including fortitude, teamwork, and toughness.
The Valdosta Army Recruiting Company area of operations includes Valdosta, Albany, Tifton, Waycross, and Thomasville. ITG Next will work with the Army to identify and review the performances of teams that meet criteria established for the award.
The first U.S. Army Team of the Month award went to the Lee County High School football program for its outstanding performance during the opening month of the 2026 Georgia high school football regular season. The Trojans were selected as the August Team of the Month.
ITG Next’s September 2026 South Georgia High School Team of the Month, presented by the U.S. Army, is Colquitt County High School and the Packers football program.
Representatives from ITG Next were joined by Staff Sgt. Parke and Staff Sgt. Mumford from the Tifton Army Recruiting Station to present the award to the players, coaches, and other support personnel from the school and football program.
Accepting the award and speaking on behalf of the program was Colquitt County head football coach Sean Calhoun.
“Our Packer program was so honored and thankful to be issued the award by ITG Next and the Army,” Calhoun said.
Calhoun then spoke about the similar qualities shared by the organizations and his program.
“Anytime my players can be recognized for their hard work and dedication is always great, especially coming from two organizations that exude the same qualities,” Calhoun said.
Colquitt County was selected as the September Team of the Month for its perseverance from the season opener through the start of region play, a stretch that included games against a defending state champion, two top 10 programs, and two Florida programs.
The Packers won five of their first seven games during that stretch, helping them secure a top 10 spot in the GHSA postseason rankings. The PSR Formula is used to help determine and seed the playoff field in each classification, while region champions are guaranteed first-round placement regardless of their PSR position. Colquitt County currently sits at No. 10 in the Class 7A PSR standings despite its difficult schedule this season.
Calhoun was presented with a plaque from ITG Next and the Army declaring Colquitt County the September Team of the Month.
Mumford and Parke addressed the team to offer congratulations and words of encouragement to continue its hard work through the remainder of the season in Region 1-7A, widely regarded as one of the toughest regions in Georgia high school football.
Mumford and Parke also presented two players with gift cards as a reward for their outstanding play and consistency this season.
ITG Next provided players with free T-shirts as a show of appreciation for a job well done.
ITG Next and the Army look forward to selecting and announcing the October Team of the Month soon.
