War Eagles Ready to Soar Again En Route to Consecutive State Championships
The Brentwood War Eagles (9-1, 5-0) look to build on Region 4-AA title streak and make playoff charge against the Windsor Knights (5-6, 2-1) in The End Zone's Week 13 Game of the Week
SANDERSVILLE, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – For Week 13, the spotlight now turns to private-school Quarterfinal Round playoff action for programs of the Georgia Independent Athletic Association. For the Brentwood War Eagles, who secured back-to-back Region 4-AA titles (their fifth in seven seasons) under third-year head coach Adam Lord with a clean 5-0 region record, the aim is clear: chase a second straight Class AA state championship.
This season’s only blemish – a 28-31 loss to John Milledge Academy – remains fresh, and Lord says that defeat taught his team valuable lessons about playing physical and staying resilient when trailing. This year’s squad, the coach says, is playing the best football of the season, and the players say, it’s thanks to their bond off the field and their growth on it.
“We got off to a faster start defensively than last year,” Lord said. “Offensively, we’ve had to replace some linemen, but our backs have given those guys time to develop. We’re excited about where we are, honestly.”
Junior quarterback Baylor Cobb and sophomore running back Tristan Robinson pointed to the team’s chemistry as a major factor in their success. “All year our chemistry has been better than last year – inside and outside of school,” Cobb said. “We’re all together, and we all want the same thing: to win a state championship.”
Robinson added, “We work hard together. We practice how we play … that’s probably our biggest strength.”
After a bye week, the War Eagles turned their attention to fundamentals and time-management drills as they prepare for their quarterfinal matchup Friday against the Windsor Knights, a team these players and coaches have not faced before. “We went back to the basics of our August install, cleaned some of that up, added a couple of things on defense we thought could help in the playoffs if need be, worked on time-management,” Coach Lord explained. “On Friday night, it’s one game at a time; we’re not going to overlook our opponents. We’re excited about Windsor coming to town.”
Small details will matter most as the War Eagles continue to excel on offense, defense, and special teams. They are averaging 39 points per game, thanks in part to Cobb’s 1,100 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only one interception, and Robinson’s 11 yards per carry average with nearly 700 yards and 9 scores. On defense, the duo combined for five of the team’s eight interceptions, helping limit opponents to just 12 points per game.
“Windsor’s got a really good team. They’re energetic. Their staff seems to be on fire, and they’ve got some good players,” Lord said. “So we’re excited about the matchup. I think they’re excited to be in the quarterfinals, and we are too.”
With an almost fully healthy roster and the No. 1 seed in hand, Brentwood seeks its 11th win in the 15th all-time meeting with Windsor in the Week 13 “Game of the Week.”
“Play fast. Play physical. Let’s limit turnovers, let’s limit penalties, and let’s have fun together,” Lord said.
Cobb added: “I think if we just play how we’ve been playing, we’ll be all right.” Robinson summed it up: “Play fast and physical. Last season was last season. This time we’ve got to come back stronger.”
Brentwood will host Windsor Friday night in Sandersville in GIAA AA Quarterfinals play. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Catch highlights from this game, along with several others, on The End Zone during 41NBC News at 11 p.m. Tune into pregame coverage live from The Eagles’ Nest during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30, and 6 p.m.
