One more win. These two first-year prep football coaches on the brink of title games.

A pair of Middle Georgia coaches in their first season leading their programs are both one win away from the GHSA AAAAA state title football game.

Former co-workers and good friends Mike Chastain and Marquis Westbrook started new head coaching jobs this past fall and now, if all goes well Friday night, they could play against each other in the state championship. But first, Chastain and his Jones County team need a win over Buford while Westbrook’s Warner Robins program needs to beat Starr’s Mill.

The path to the state semifinals has been similar for Chastain and Westbrook. They both have 12-1 records heading into Friday night.

A season ago, Chastain led Warner Robins to its second straight state title game appearance. In the offseason, Chastain left to take over as Jones County High School coach after Justin Rogers left for Colquitt County.

The open position at Warner Robins was filled by Westbrook, Chastain’s defensive coordinator last year.

Over the past three seasons, Chastain has proven to be one of the best coaches in the area with a 38-5 record during that span. He was able to transition seamlessly into the Jones County job. But the thought of three straight title games appearances isn’t something he thinks about.

“We have got good players at Jones County. They have done a phenomenal job of competing and playing hard this year,” Chastain said. “I think about how blessed I am to be able to have good coaches around me, good players around me.”

Jones County has community’s support

Heading into the playoffs, the Greyhounds lost their only game to region foe Stockbridge in the final game of the regular season. The team has been able to refocus and has reeled off three straight wins including a 49-14 victory over Griffin the quarterfinals. Chastain said his message heading into the playoffs was simple.

“Win each play and compete. The teams that compete the hardest and maximize their potential win it.” Chastain said. “They all know the sense of urgency we need right now. They all understand about competing and I think that’s why we have been able to be where we are right now.”

The Jones County community has come out in full force all season. It has gotten behind Chastain and a team with a chance to bring home a state title. Chastain said one thing that has made his first year easier is the support that he and the team have been able to get from the community in Jones County.

“It is not just on big games, it is week in and week out. Our community just loves high school sports. It is a fun thing to be a part of,” Chastain said. “When you are in a one-horse town and everybody is one hundred percent behind you that is what really makes it awesome.”

Next up for Jones County is a matchup against Buford at home. Chastain said the home field advantage has been big for his team and should be an asset against Buford.

“Playing at home is huge. Buford is a good program but they have got to come into our house,” Chastain said. “We are just excited to have the opportunity that we have right now. We want to take every opportunity to be in that state championship next week.”

Westbrook thankful for Warner Robins job, team

Chastain said he’s been impressed with what Westbrook, his former defensive coordinator, has been able to do at Warner Robins this season.

“It is awesome to see one of your guys who has been with you, coached with you, have success,” Chastain said. “Coach Westbrook is a phenomenal guy. He is a really good friend of mine. I think they have done an awesome job this year. I am just happy for them.”

As a first-time head coach, Westbrook was able to lean on Chastain during his transition into his new job.

“He always told me I was going to be a head coach one day. He told me that he saw it in me,” Westbrook said. “He was very influential. I think Mike does a great job. It is just a testament to where he is right now in his first year there.”

Despite Warner Robins’ back-to-back trips to the state title game, Westbrook took over the program with some question marks. The team’s top quarterback Dylan Fromm graduated. So did other key players from the team’s last two playoffs runs. The Demons have been able to adjust and adapt to get back to the semifinals again.

“We had a bunch of turnovers coaching-wise and player-wise… We didn’t really have an identity of what we were going to be on offense,” Westbrook said. “It has been a really good experience to see it unfold.”

For Westbrook, the transition from coordinator to head coach has come with its challenges — like the weekly preparation for games. He says he is thankful he was given the opportunity to take over the program and has enjoyed watching the team come together heading into the semifinals.

“It is very special. You have your thoughts of where you want to be when you start and then when it starts to unfold it is a very eye-opening experience,” Westbrook said. “It is a testament to the players and the people we have in this program. I think we are very fortunate and it is a great experience to be able to do this in the first year.”

One thing that has taken Westbrook by surprise is the support he has gotten from the people in Warner Robins. The way that they have embraced him this season has been a good experience, he said.

“It has been great. You go anywhere in Warner Robins a day after a win and people are still congratulating you,” Westbrook said. “It is something that I have never been a part of I guess you could say as a coach. So you just have to take it all in. The community they show up and support these kids.”

Westbrook isn’t taking the opportunity to get to the state championship in his first season lightly, He is locked in leading up to the game and is ready for the chance to try to lead his team against Starr’s Mill.

“It will be huge. It will be like something that I have never experienced before. It will be my first time doing it,” Westbrook said. “I just can’t explain it. I guess it is one of those things that you just got to be in that moment to describe it. For the program, it would be a huge win.”

This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 6:20 PM.