GA high school football playoffs scores: Warner Robins beats Ware County in heart-stopper
When Warner Robins kicker Alberto Medina lined up for a 42-yard field goal Friday night — one of his longest tries of the year and a kick that would either prolong or abruptly end the Demons’ 2023 season — fans waited with bated breath.
Medina had missed from short yardage earlier in the fourth quarter, and some hollers from the crowd questioned the decision. Why not try a long pass for the win?
Warner Robins head coach Shane Sams didn’t bat an eye. All season, he preached one message to his team — he had faith in them.
“If I’m gonna tell kids that I love ‘em, and I believe in ‘em, then I gotta prove it in that moment,” Sams said after the game. “I knew he could get it done, and sent him in there.”
Sams’ faith was rewarded moments later when Medina drilled the game-winner and the Demons toppled the defending champion Ware County Gators, 23-21, in the second round of GHSA playoffs at McConnell-Talbert Stadium.
With fans and players alike in a frenzy and the gong of a victory bell sounding through stadium speakers, Sams remained cool and collected. The win gave the Demons revenge for their championship loss to the Gators last year, and Sams made it known that it was on his agenda all week.
“It feels really good, I told the kids coming in, in my playing career and coaching career, I have never lost to Ware, and I intended to keep that true coming in here tonight,” Sams said.
The electric playoff win came after a second half highlighted by tough defense for both teams. As Warner Robins’ offense faltered, its defense kept it in the game.
“Defense wins championships, it’s 100% defense wins championships, we know that and tonight proved it,” Sams said.
Even with a great second-half performance, the defense gave up the go-ahead touchdown to Ware County with just a minute to play. After a lackluster half, quarterback Judd Anderson and the Demons’ offense needed an answer.
From its own 20-yard line, Warner Robins ripped off a string of chunk plays — passes of 12, eight and seven yards. Anderson threw dart after dart, but the clock was winding down. With just nine seconds left, the Demons sat on the Gators’ 49-yard line.
One last pass from Anderson to star wideout Isiah Canion for 24 yards set them up. With just two seconds left, the stage was set for Medina, and the rest was history.
“You can’t bank on the offense as high scoring all the time… but tonight was a full team game, that’s what I’ll tell you,” Sams said. “Our coaches and our players, just gelling together, that’s what we want.”
Anderson finished with 287 total yards through the air and on the ground in the victory. The Demons will face the Creekside Seminoles next week in another rematch for round three. Warner Robins won in OT when the two teams met in last year’s playoffs.
Other scores
Woodward Academy 27, Houston County 7
Coffee County 45, Jones County 14
Perry 7, Bainbridge 3
Mary Persons 42, Crisp County 20
Carver Columbus 8, Upson-Lee 7
Irwin County 31, Bleckley County 0
Brooks County 22, Dublin 7
Swainsboro 18, Laurens County 6
FPD 23, Strong Rock 13
John Milledge 48, Tiftarea 19
Tattnall @ Bethlehem Christian
