File it under wake-up call. And, call it for both Warner Robins and Houston County.
After each had done little to start the game and punted, the Bears’ wake-up call came on the Demons’ second possession.
They went 12 plays during that span and nearly scored twice. The first time was on Jaeven West’s 43-yard run into the endzone. A false start penalty brought it back. The second was on Eli Mashburn’s field goal attempt that hit the crossbar and fell away.
The now well-awake – and possibly alarmed – Houston County squad then drove 80 yards for the score. It took 11 plays and was finished off on Wesley Steiner’s nine-yard run. Jon David Ferraris made it 7-0 with just over a minute left in the quarter.
Ring. Ring. This is the front desk (aka coaching staff). Wake up Demons.
They did. Aided by a 70-yard kickoff return by Jarius Burnette that got it to the 9, they scored two plays later when Dylan Fromm found Julius Cobbs in the endzone. Eli Mashburn made it 7-all.
Also now well-awake – and also possibly just as alarmed – Warner Robins then went on to outscore Houston County 17-7 to the half and 31-14 to the buzzer en route to a 38-21 win.
The Demons remained undefeated and improved to 4-0 as a result, while the Bears fell to 1-4.
Houston County punted again just as the second quarter began, and that in turn led to Warner Robins’ next score. This time it was a seven-play, 44-yard drive that ended with Burnette taking it in from three yards out. Mashburn made it 14-7.
The Bears answered – the aforementioned second drive of 80 yards – but would not have, had it not been for a fake punt – a complete pass to Edward Franklin that netted 40 yards and got the ball to the opposition’s 27. Steiner picked up 18 on a third-and-nine and then got it to the 4 on the next play. Donovan Mabry finished it off from there. Ferraris tied it with just over three minutes left before the break.
The Demons again got great field position – a norm for them in the first half – thanks to Ke’Shawn Duvall’s kickoff return to the 50. West picked up a first down on the first play from scrimmage and then picked up that – and then some – on a late hit. That put the ball on the 11 where Dylan found his brother, Tyler, on the next play for the score.
The Bears punted following. By then there was less than 30 seconds on the clock, but thanks to a 42-yard pass from Fromm to Jaydon Norman, Warner Robins was still able to score again. The pass completion put it on the 5 where it took one shot at the endzone before bringing Mashburn on for a 21-yard field goal.
An interception helped set up the Demons’ first score of the third quarter. It was taken on the Bears’ 44 and was finished off in five plays – the last a three-yard run by Burnette.
Both punted before Houston County scored as the third quarter clock ran out. The Bears began the drive on their own 49 and ran six plays to get in. Two keys was a 29-yard pass completion to Eric Williams as well as a 15-yard personal foul. Max Rigby and Isaiah Harris connected to finish it off when the first found the second from 14 yards out.
Ferraris made it 31-21 with the point after but the Demons scored again following. An unsuccessful onsides kick gave Warner Robins the ball on the Houston County 46. After Burnette had moved it four yards forward, Fromm found West on a short pass. He did the rest, racing down the sidelines and into the endzone.
The Bears punted following. The Demons missed a field goal, and after forcing Houston County to turn it over on downs, ran out the clock.
MCDONALD’S OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME JULIUS COBBS.
PAPA JOHN’S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME BOBBY KELLY.
MCDONALD’S OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME MAX RIGBY.
PAPA JOHN’S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME ED FRANKLIN.
