Mistakes, assignments are focal points for Demons and Trojans

Gifts are great on birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas.

Not on Friday nights.

Warner Robins hopes to prevent giving so many presents when the Demons host Peach County in non-region action Friday at McConnell-Talbert Stadium.

Head coach Mike Chastain has tried to put those mistakes — and the points they turned into — into the rearview mirror, especially those in last week’s 44-21 loss at Locust Grove.

“No doubt we’re getting better,” Chastain said, with a little “I know that sounds crazy” chuckle. “As bad as it seems, there was some improvement.”

Quarterback Dalton Hedden was picked off four times, and Locust Grove returned a high shotgun snap about 60 yards for a touchdown early in the game, after the Demons opened with a first-drive score and were driving again.

There was also an interception return for a touchdown.

“I don’t remember the (interception) taken back,” Chastain said. “I’ll be honest with you, I’m trying to forget as much about that last one as I can.”

Except for where the Demons (0-2) improved and can improve. He cited Hedden’s 22-for-44 night as a step forward.

“We didn’t want to throw it that much,” Chastain said. “But they were packing a bunch of people in the box. When you have to throw it a lot in a game, you get a lot of experience. A lot of guys touched the ball.”

It is Hedden’s debut season as a quarterback, and new personnel there and at center have led to some timing issues.

“It was a struggle all summer,” Chastain said. “We’re working on it. ... But the guys saw that we got better last week.”

That most of Warner Robins’ problems are self-inflicted is equally a positive and a negative, but Chastain knows the Demons have to play through some things.

Not that Peach County (0-1) cares.

The Trojans were tied with Class 6A No. 1 Houston County for a half last week before losing 49-31, a day before burying senior football player Raekwon Smith, who died the previous Saturday in a car accident.

Peach County head coach Chad Campbell liked his team’s effort, but he was disappointed in the sudden lack of execution in the second half.

“We didn’t play assignment football,” said Campbell, five wins from 100 for his career. “We did not play technique football that we know ... we have been coached to play.”

Houston County will do that to a team.

Warner Robins is facing an offensive line that’s off a solid performance, with running backs James Jackson and Chris Gibson each gaining 100 yards. Jackson is doubtful with an ankle injury, but the Trojans were fairly deep at that position entering the season.

Peach County was driving when it turned the ball over against Houston County, and otherwise had a fairly sharp opener with only two turnovers.

The Demons have been at the opposite end of the spectrum. But Campbell has his own concerns about his team more than focusing too much on opponents just yet.

And they are simple concerns.

“Know how to line up, know your assignment, play football,” Campbell said. “You don’t do the first two things, you’re in trouble. I preach that to them all the time: alignment and assignment.

“Know where to line up, and know what your assignment is before the ball is snapped.”

This story was originally published September 1, 2016 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Mistakes, assignments are focal points for Demons and Trojans."