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Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Warner Robins moves past earlier losses

WARNER ROBINS — Prior to Friday, the Warner Robins Demons had a crucial loss to Colquitt County weighing heavily on their minds. The 17-0 loss to the Packers severely crippled the Demons’ playoff hopes.

But those thoughts aren’t as prominent following the Demons’ come-from-behind upset of Northside on Friday.

“The loss to Colquitt County hurt because we didn’t come to play,” senior defensive tackle Jeffrey Whitaker said after the 21-20 win over the Eagles. “We knew we didn’t play our best. That’s in the past, and we can’t do anything about that. Not a lot of people will be thinking of that game after what we did (Friday against Northside).”

The Demons (6-3) also suffered a tough loss to Valdosta earlier in the season. A win in that game and the Demons would have clinched a playoff spot. Now, they need to either beat Lowndes or a Houston County upset over Valdosta to reach the playoffs.

“We have to get ready for Lowndes because that will be a huge challenge,” Whitaker said. “But no matter what happened (with the Colquitt or Valdosta losses), this will always be special because it’s the first time we’ve beat Northside.”

DOOLY OUT

Dooly County had a chance to clinch a playoff spot in GHSA Region 2-A with a win over Irwin County on Friday.

But the Bobcats couldn’t overcome a late turnover in a 39-34 loss in Ocilla and now won’t make it to the playoffs

Dooly County fought back from a 33-12 second quarter deficit, beginning with a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Arsenio Watkins with 30 seconds to play in the first half.

Dooly County opened the second half scoring with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Watkins to Ben Miller to pull within seven points. The Bobcats would answer an Indians’ touchdown with a 9-yard run by Jabioas Glenn with eight minutes to play in the game, but neither team could manage another score.

Watkins finished the game with 342 passing yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 52 yards and another score. Miller caught both touchdown passes and finished with nine catches for 169 yards.

VIDALIA IN, DODGE OUT

Dodge County’s playoff hopes suffered a critical setback in a 49-36 loss to Vidalia on Oct. 23.

But those hopes collapsed altogether with a 41-0 loss to Swainsboro on Friday combined with Vidalia’s 21-0 win over rival Toombs County.

Dodge County can still finish with a 5-5 record with a win over East Laurens on Friday, and that would be a significant improvement over last year’s 2-8 campaign.

Vidalia, meanwhile, has clinched its first playoff appearance since 2005.