High school notebook: Warner Robins expected to make football hire Tuesday

The position of football head coach at Warner Robins is likely to be filled three weeks after it came open.

Parties ranging from those doing the interviewing to those being interviewed signed confidentiality agreements.

Attempts Monday afternoon to reach Warner Robins principal Steve Monday were unsuccessful.

Multiple sources confirm that the three finalists, re-interviewed for a final time Monday, are offensive coordinators at Middle Georgia schools. Two are graduates of the Houston County school system.

The position became vacant when Bryan Way, a Warner Robins graduate, announced that he was resigning as head coach after 12 seasons in that position. Way's entire coaching career was at Warner Robins.

His successor will be Warner Robins' 11th head coach.

ABRAMS RESIGNS AT LAMAR COUNTY

Jamie Abrams made the decision that he wouldn't return to Lamar County for a third season as head coach, resigning Friday.

"I was not forced to resign at all," Abrams said. "I made the decision on my own."

Abrams spent four seasons at Lamar County, joining the staff of predecessor Franklin Stephens, who was the Trojans' head coach for two years before moving to Ware County.

"It's a great place," Abrams said. "Everybody's been great. It's just time for me to move on."

Abrams' successor will be Lamar County's sixth head coach since 2000. The program began in 1970, and only Mark Wilson lasted more than five seasons. Wilson coached from 1996-2002.

STATE TITLE TEAM TO JOIN DUBLIN HALL

Dublin's 2006 state championship team will join 13 other inductees into the Dublin Touchdown Club Football Hall of Fame.

The ceremony is April 23 at Dublin Country Club.

In addition to the title team, the club will induct Wex Jordan (1938), Bobby Gay (1958), Danny Stanley (1963 state champion team), Randolph Walker, Richard Sheffield, Mike Rich (all three in the 1960s), Steve Edwards (1970s), Brian Cabella (1980s), David Pritchett (1990s), Tyler Josey and Nick McRae (both 2000s).

Coaches Roscoe Brower and supporter Bush Perry will also be inducted.

Organizers are looking for some inductees. Contact Bill Perry at 697-6728 or Dublin head coach Roger Holmes at 353-8040 with information on inductees.

SIGNING UPDATES

Another Veterans lineman will continue his career in college.

Dawson Stephens signed Monday with Stetson, a former conference rival of Mercer.

The Hatters compete in the Pioneer Football League on the FCS level.

Stephens was primarily a defensive lineman for the Warhawks, recording 25 tackles last year with three tackles for loss. The 6-foot, 265-pounder missed part of the season while coming back from an ACL injury.

DEGREES OF SEPARATION

Once again, there's a Peach County connection at Valdosta.

Alan Rodemaker, head coach at Peach County in 1999 and 2000, was named as head coach at Valdosta on Monday.

His successor? Former Peach County head coach Rance Gillespie.

Rodemaker's successor at Peach County? Gillespie.

Rodemaker went 15-8 in two seasons at Peach County. Gillespie left Valdosta for a position on the new staff of Georgia Southern head coach Tyler Summers.

Gillespie went 119-51 with the Trojans and Wildcats.

Rodemaker has been the Wildcats' defensive coordinator for six years.