Another championship game, another heartbreak for Warner Robins

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          There aren’t many ways left for Warner Robins to leave a state championship game heartbroken.

          The Demons outgained Buford by 31 yards on 17 fewer plays. Had only four penalties for 19 yards. Led for the most of the third quarter and nearly all of the fourth.

          Nearly all.

          Buford drove 78 yards on 14 plays in a little more than four minutes to score and tie the game with 27 second left, then intercepted a pass in overtime and nailed a 24-yard field goal to stun Warner Robins 17-14 in the GHSA Class 5A state championship game Friday night at Georgia State Stadium.

          The Demons took a 14-7 lead on Jalen Addie’s 12-yard run at the 9:49 mark of the third quarter.

          Warner Robins’ stellar defense came up big early in the fourth quarter after the Wolves crossed midfield, forcing a punt from the Demon 34.

          The Demons immediately moved into scoring territory after Addie’s 64-yard run, getting to the Buford 11. The possession stalled after three runs, but a 24-yard field goal was wide right with 8:41 left.

          The defense – led by Malachi Witherspoon, Taijun Galloway, Ahmad Walker, and Victor Burley – answered again and stuffed Victor Venn on fourth and 3 at the Buford 41.

          But the knockout punch wasn’t coming.

          Addie found Marcayll Jones for a 16-yard gain, but he fumbled and it was recovered by Buford on its 22 with 4:59 left.

          With sophomore quarterback Ashton Daniels running the offense, the Wolves moved and ate up clock. They got seven on third and 2, five on third and four, 13 on third and 6, and five on third and 2, all while letting the clock run.

          Then Jamarius Isaac got in front of a defender in the end zone, and Daniels fired a strike for a 22-yard touchdown. Hayden Olsen’s kick tied it at 14 with 27 seconds left.

          Warner Robins tried to move, and was aided by a 15-yard facemask penalty. But a hopeful 50-yard field goal attempt on the final play of regulation was wide and short.

          The Demons had third and 4 at the nine in overtime, and Addie’s pass to the left was short and picked off by Isaac.

          Two runs gained eight yards, and Buford went for the win on third down, Olsen’s 24-yarder leaving no doubt from the time it left his foot.

          Warner Robins lost 38-0 to Rome two years ago at home in the championship, then overcame a 28-0 deficit last year and ended up losing 47-41 in triple overtime to region rival Bainbridge, who the Demons thumped 38-0 late in the regular season.

          Addie ran 14 times for 120 yards and a score, completing 7 of 14 for 63 yards. Jahlen Rutherford carried 11 times for 46 yards and James Smith six for 35. Jones caught five passes for 47 yards.

          Buford quarterbacks Daniels and Jarvis Evans teamed to go 13 of 22 for 131 yards and one touchdown, Gabe Ervin (57 yards) scoring from a yard out late in the first quarter after a Warner Robins fumble.

          The Demons tied it on Walker’s 2-yard run with 1:53 left in the first half, after a holding penalty negated a long Buford touchdown run.

Warner Robins finished the season at 13-2, Buford at 14-1. Both played under first-year head coaches promoted from within, Marquis Westbrook at Warner Robins and Bryant Appling at Buford.