Back-to-back! Warner Robins repeats as 5A state champion by crushing Calhoun

For the second straight season, Warner Robins is the 5A state champion after knocking off Calhoun in the title game 38-14.

The Demons have now won six titles in the last 45 seasons but, for the first time in school history, they have accomplished the feat in back-to-back seasons.

The game was never in doubt as Warner Robins jumped out to an early lead following a bad snap on a punt by the Yellow Jackets. The Demons recovered it deep in Calhoun territory.

Running back Jafredrick Perry quickly capitalized on the mistake by Calhoun, rushing for a 3-yard touchdown.

On the ensuing drive, the Demons forced a quick three-and-out. A new punter was forced into the game after an injury to the starter on the first punt.

Once again the punt would be blocked following a dropped snap. This time defensive lineman Nathan Sanford would scoop up the ball and sprint 41 yards for the score to put Warner Robins up 14-0.

The Yellow Jackets would respond with a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Christian Lewis hit wide receiver, Quin Smith, on a 3-yard touchdown.

Warner Robins managed to score twice in the final minute of the first half as Daniel Barber hit a 35-yard field goal before Christon Lane found Cam Flowers for a 51-yard touchdown. The Demons went into the half up 24-7.

Calhoun came out of the half and recovered an onside kick on the first play. Antwon Jackson would quickly negate this with an interception.

Neither offense would score in the third quarter but Warner Robins would get a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal its second straight title. Perry broke off a 46-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. Lane would add a rushing touchdown to put Warner Robins up 38-7.

Calhoun scored a touchdown when the game was already in hand for the Demons as Lewis and Smith connected for their second touchdown of the game.

The Demons held on over the last five minutes to clinch back-to-back state championship for the first time in program history.

THREE STARS:

— Jafredrick Perry, Warner Robins RB: He has been the hero throughout this playoff run. He came into the game with more than 700 yards and 14 touchdowns in the Demons’ four playoff games.

In the state title game, Perry got off to a hot start scoring the first touchdown of the game. He finished with 24 carries for 235 yards and two scores. He also led the team in tackles with 10.

Perry might have had one of the greatest playoffs runs ever especially for a non-quarterback.

He should be playing somewhere on Saturdays come this fall as he is one of the most underrated prospects in recent memory not just at Warner Robins but in the state of Georgia.

— Demons special teams: Calhoun’s two botched snaps on punts resulted in a pair of touchdowns for Warner Robins.

The Demons’ special teams got in on the ball quickly and didn’t allow either punter to recover from the bad snap.

Nathan Sanford’s touchdown return was the turning point in the game as it gave Warner Robins a 14-0 lead in the first six minutes of the game.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Demons blocked a field goal attempt by Calhoun which set up another touchdown for the offense.

Warner Robins’ head coach Marquis Westbrook and his staff have preached all season about the importance of winning in all phases of the game.

This was the perfect example of that attitude with the way the special teams played against Calhoun.

— Warner Robins: It takes a total team effort to win a state title. Especially in a season when the Demons lost their star running back Malcolm Brown to injury right before the playoffs.

Warner Robins has now gone back-to-back. Many doubted if they could win the big one after losing three straight to open this impressive run of five straight trips to the title game.

Warner Robins has clearly disproven the narrative over the last two seasons. They have won a pair of titles by a combined score of 100-42.

The Demons will have a chance to run it back next season in pursuit of a third straight title after becoming the first team to win two in a row.

THEY SAID IT:

“We were supposed to have a drop-off after we had a lot of players leave last year and our players answered the bell. They came to work every day. They did what they were supposed to do. We got so much favor over us. It is unbelievable.” — Warner Robins head coach Marquis Westbrook on repeating as state champions

“We are going to miss him tremendously. He has that ‘it’ factor on offense and defense. He can bring a lot to the table. It is going to be a tremendous loss for us but I am so proud of that kid for what he did.” —Westbrook on Jafredrick Perry’s senior season and leading them to a state title

“I am going to miss this senior class. I have been through a lot with them but it is going to be time to move on and try to repeat next year. We have been here five times. We have won these last two. That means I get to go to practice next year and see that 20 and 21 on the board up there.” — Defensive end Vic Burley on getting his second title

“As soon as that state championship was over they were like it is your time to step up. I took that role all year. I did what my coaches asked me to do. I tried to lead my team both verbally and by example.” — Burley on being a leader after losing key pieces from last year’s championship team

This story was originally published December 11, 2021 at 8:02 PM.