Houston County Hungry for Revenge in Non-Region Rivalry Matchup with Warner Robins
The 3-0 Bears head to the Mac to take on the 2-1 Demons
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Another week of high school football brings a hometown throwdown in The Endzone’s Week 4 Game of the Week.
The Houston County Bears, led by fourth-year head coach Jeremy Edwards, are off to a perfect 3-0 start once again this season, after a comeback home-opening victory over rival Perry. Now, the Bears prepare for another Houston County rivalry matchup just seven miles north against Warner Robins at McConnell-Talbert Stadium.
This will be the Bears’ third road game of the season, but despite the early obstacles, they have scored exactly 100 points through three games. Defensively, Houston County is on pace to give up the fewest points of Edwards’ tenure.
Replacing three seniors on defense and six more on offense has been no easy task, but players such as Western Ard, M.J. Mathis, Jeffery Thomas, four-star safety and Georgia commit Jordan Smith, JeCorian McCoy, Javien Durham and Ryan Maxwell have stepped up. They are filling the shoes of former standouts such as A.J. Hill, now at Memphis, and Isaiah “Bull” Mitchell, now at Mississippi State.
The rivalry is heightened by shared coaching ties. Edwards previously served as Warner Robins’ offensive coordinator, guiding the Demons to the 2021 state championship. Before taking the Bears’ job, Edwards was part of a five-game winning streak over Houston County. Since arriving, he has gone 2-1 against his former team.
After slipping up in last year’s 54-44 loss, the Bears are looking to bounce back. Warner Robins leads the all-time series 18-8-1 heading into the 28th meeting.
“This will be my first senior class to see all the way through, so it’s special in that regard,” Edwards said. “These guys are used to winning. They’ve shown a lot of resiliency and I’ve been proud of their progression. Our defense has really stepped up, and our offensive and defensive lines have been solid. We want these kids to go out, play free and have fun.”
Houston County players echoed that sentiment.
“It’s just a culture that coach Edwards built,” one player said. “This year, something feels different. Whenever you play a rival, it means a little more, but at the end of the day it’s about going 1-0.”
Edwards said Warner Robins’ speed will be a challenge.
“They do a great job getting the ball to their speed guys and letting them make plays,” Edwards said. “They’re well-coached, and it’s a rivalry. I think it’s going to be a great game.”
The Houston County Bears take on the Warner Robins Demons at the Mac Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Catch highlights from the game, along with several others, on The Endzone, during 41NBC News at 11 p.m. Tune into live pregame coverage from McConnell-Talbert Stadium on 41NBC News at 5, 5:30, and 6 p.m.
