Warner Robins Demons looking to punch ticket to fifth straight state championship game

For the fifth straight season, Warner Robins is in the semifinal round of the GHSA playoffs. In the four previous trips, the Demons have come out on top and advanced to the championship game.

This season will present a different challenge as Warner Robins will be forced to go on the road and win in order to get back to the title game, something it hasn’t had to do by virtue of being the No. 1 seed in previous seasons.

When the Demons travel to Creekside on Friday, it will be their third straight road playoff game after knocking off Cartersville and Jones County in the previous two rounds.

Warner Robins head coach Marquis Westbrook said playing on the road has been the biggest difference from the last four playoff runs.

“When we lost that region game it was costly because we are on the road now. Just the way that we prepare on Fridays is just different logistically, getting everything ready for game day.” Westbrook said. “But not being at home has been the biggest difference. Just going into those hostile environments and being able to withstand the light shows that we have seen and the crowd noise,”

In addition to facing off against higher seeds on the road, the Demons have also experienced adversity through the loss of their star-running back Malcolm Brown to a season-ending injury.

Brown had more than 1,300 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns while carrying the ball nearly 200 times. He was a key piece in the team’s title win in 2020 and looked poised to help Warner Robins defend the title.

But despite losing Brown, the Demons have been able to maintain a steady ground attack due to the efforts of senior Jafredrick Perry. Perry rushed for more than 300 yards and five touchdowns in the quarterfinal win over Jones County.

Westbrook said Perry has used his teammate’s injury as additional motivation and has stepped up in the playoffs.

“He and Malcolm are really good friends and he feels as though he has to carry that load not just for our team but for Malcolm,” Westbrook said. “He has been playing lights out not just on the offensive side of the ball but on the defensive side. He makes a lot of tackles for us. He is one of the guys who makes us go. He is fiery. He is a player’s player. The kids love him.”

Over the last five seasons, Warner Robins has amassed a 64-8 record to go along with its four title appearances and one state title.

While the Demons have enjoyed the run of success, the three losses in the state championship have been fuel for Westbrook and his team over the last two seasons.

There is also the possibility of back-to-back titles, something no Warner Robins team has ever accomplished.

Westbrook said it would mean a lot to the senior class, the program and the city of Warner Robins if the Demons are able to take home another state title.

He added that he is grateful to get the chance to play in another semifinal game as many teams and coaches never get the opportunity to make it this far.

“Our kids have faced a lot of really good opponents and coming up short those first few years and then finally winning it last year was elation not just for our team but for our community,” Westbrook said. “It has been a real good run… It is kind of one of those things you have to step outside of yourself and see it from the outside before you can get the full feel of what you’re doing.”

But before the Demons can reach the title game and defend their state title, they must first get past Creekside. The Seminoles are 11-2 on the season with losses to Woodward Academy and Cartersville.

Like the Demons, Creekside has beaten a pair of No. 1 seeds on the road to get to the semifinals including a 20-13 win over Whitewater last week.

One of the most impressive wins this season by any team in the state of Georgia was Creekside’s win in its season opener over 7A powerhouse Grayson.

Westbrook said the Seminoles present a ton of challenges and his team can’t afford to look ahead to a potential state title game.

“They are really athletic all over the field,” Westbrook said. “That is what makes them tough. They have an edge about themselves. They are not a pushover by any means. They are really tough football team.”

Despite having to go on the road in the last three games, the Demons have gotten a lot of fan support. During the game against Cartersville, one of the microphones during the TV broadcast was impacted by the Warner Robins fans cheering so loudly.

The energy from the fans has been a driving force during this run for Warner Robins as it has helped to balance out the lack of home-field advantage. It is something Westbrook and the players are thankful for.

“It is just as loud when we make great plays as it is when they make great plays,” Westbrook said. “It does give us an extra boost. It is just a blessing to have the type of fan base that we have.”