Middle Georgia football scores: Two of Middle Georgia’s best lose close games

High school football in Middle Georgia has reached region play and each game has added pressure, with potential playoff spots and seeding on the line.

There were plenty of upsets, close calls and blowout wins to go around on Friday night, including the top team in Middle Georgia taking its first loss of the season.

Here is a look at some of the best games, highlights and scores from around Middle Georgia in Week 9 of the season.

Best game

Ware County 29, Warner Robins 21

For the first time in more than a calendar year, Warner Robins suffered a loss on the football field. This one will likely sting for a bit.

Since the last loss on Oct. 9, 2020, to Lee County, Warner Robins has gone on a run that has included a state championship, wins over some of the best teams in the state in multiple classifications and, until Friday night, no losses.

Ware County jumped on the Demons early, scoring 22 unanswered to start the game. This run featured a 77-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Castellanos to Ta’shawn Norton. The Gators exposed Warner Robins in all facets of the game in the first half.

But, playing in a hostile environment, Warner Robins silenced the home crowd with a trick-play touchdown to end the first half down 22-7.

The biggest drive of the game came right after halftime. Warner Robins drove the ball nearly 80 yards and took seven minutes off the clock. But the Demons could not get the ball in the end zone.

Ware County responded with a touchdown of its own just after the third quarter ended.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Warner Robins running back Jafredrick Perry took it the distance, trucking a pair of Gators defenders on his way for the score. The Demons cut the lead to 29-13.

Ware County drove the ball down the field eating up a good portion of the remaining time on the clock.

The Gators attempted a field goal that was blocked and nearly returned by Warner Robins.

The Demons scored three plays later. The ensuing onside kick bounced out of a Warner Robins player’s hands and Ware County recovered to hang on for the win. A season ago, the Lee County loss spurred the historic run for the Demons. Many Warner Robins fans will wonder if this loss could do the same.

Three stars

Deuce Petty, Warner Robins WR: The Demons lost 29-21, but Petty had one of the best plays in Middle Georgia this season. With two seconds left in the first half, Petty came down with the ball and as he was being spun to the ground he flipped the ball back to his teammate Daveon Walker, who took it 59 yards for the score. It’s a small consolation prize after Warner Robins suffered its first defeat of the year.

Bleckley County: The Royals are having one of their best seasons in school history. Against a good Northeast team, Bleckley County mounted a comeback to win 9-6. The winning score came after converting a late fourth down to set it up. A win next week over Washington County should lock down the region title. A win will likely give them a perfect season, barring an upset loss to Southwest in the final matchup of the season.

FPD: The Vikings knocked off a second straight rival in dominating fashion on Friday night. FPD continues to improve as the season moves along. With wins over Mount de Sales and Tattnall already secured, the Vikings have the inside track for the region title. FPD will need to avoid the upset against Deerfield Windsor before taking on Stratford in a game that could decide the winner of the region on Oct. 29

Scoreboard

• Bleckley County 9, Northeast 6
• Northside 13, Valdosta 10
• Baldwin 20, Howard 7
• Westside 21, Rutland 14
• Perry 32, West Laurens 0
• Dodge County 21, Lamar County 6
• Lee County 29, Houston County 9
• FPD 33, Mount de Sales 14
• Stratford 41, Strongrock 0

What’s next?

Stratford vs Tattnall

Stratford needs a win to set up a potential showdown for the region title against FPD the following week. It’s a chance for Tattnall to play spoiler against its rival and keeps its own hopes alive.

Tattnall will need a ton of help at this point, but a win over Stratford would go a long way. For Stratford, it’s a chance to stay perfect against the other Macon private schools after knocking off Mount de Sales last week. Look for this to be a close game, and it could come down to who has the ball last or who jumps out to an early lead.

This story was originally published October 15, 2021 at 10:55 PM.