Warner Robins’ third straight trip to the state-title game ends in loss in OT thriller
So close.
For the third consecutive season, the Warner Robins Demons lost in the GHSA AAAAA state championship game. The Buford Wolves rallied from down seven in the fourth quarter to beat Warner Robins 17-14 in overtime.
This is the second year in a row Warner Robins lost in overtime in the championship game, losing to Bainbridge in triple overtime last season.
The Demons fell behind early after a fumble gave Buford the football deep in Warner Robins territory. The Warner Robins offense struggled to get going until the final drive of the first half. It was a 12-play drive that ended in an Ahmad Walker leap into the end zone from the 1-yard line.
Early in the second half, Warner Robins forced a punt and wide receiver Ty Carr returned the kick 54 yards to set up a touchdown for quarterback Jalen Addie on a 12-yard read-option run.
The two teams traded possessions for much of the fourth quarter. Buford made a switch to quarterback Ashton Daniels, who led the team down the field to tie the score with 27 seconds left after hitting Jamarius Isaac for a 22-yard touchdown.
Warner Robins had one final shot to win the game in regulation, but Cary Payne missed his second field goal of the game as time expired from over 40 yards out.
In overtime, the Demons were on offense first. Addie threw a costly interception in the end zone that was intercepted by Isaac.
Kicker Hayden Olsen nailed the game-winning 35-yard kick to give Buford the state championship and Warner Robins another offseason of what might have been.
STARS OF THE GAME:
Warner Robins QB Jalen Addie: In his first year as the Demons starting quarterback, Addie has redefined the position at Warner Robins. He didn’t have the gaudy passing stats in this game, but his ability to run the football has been the difference for this team. He ran the ball 14 times for 125 yards including a touchdown that looked like it would seal the game. Despite the costly interception in overtime, he gave his team a chance to win the game due to his play.
Warner Robins LB Ahmad Walker: Walker made his presence felt all night. Each time the quarterback dropped back, Walker was getting a hand on him. He finished with five tackles, two sacks and three tackles for a loss. He also ran for the Demons’ first score of the game in his power-back role.
Buford WR Jamarius Isaac: Isaac caught the game-tying touchdown and then set up the game-winning field goal with an interception in overtime. Without those two plays, a different team is celebrating the state title. The touchdown reception was his lone catch of the night.
THEY SAID IT
“Take nothing away from our season. Our kids fought hard all year. They should their resilience. Tonight, they just got the best of us. It came down to overtime again and our guys just couldn’t pull it out.” — Warner Robins coach Marquis Westbrook on the loss.
“We have a lot of guys coming back. They will have a lot of experience, guys who know how to get back here. We are going to get back to the grind and keep chopping again.” — Westbrook on how this experience can be a launching pad for more success.