Week 12 Game of the Week Preview: Warner Robins
The Warner Robins Demons (6-3, 2-2) prepare to host the Perry Panthers (7-2, 4-0) in Region 1-AAAA Play for the First Time Since 1965
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – McConnell-Talbert Stadium is the site of the Game of the Week matchup for Week 12 of the high school football season, where the 6-3 Warner Robins Demons are coming off a tough close 27-24 loss to region opponent Ware County on the road last week, and are now preparing to take on the 7-2 Perry Panthers in Region 1-AAAA play.
Second year Demons Head Coach Shane Sams and Class AAAA fourth-ranked Warner Robins, according to MaxPreps, will not repeat as Region champs this season, but do have a lot to fight for, especially before heading into the playoffs in two weeks. Despite two region losses, this Demons squad is still putting up numbers, averaging almost 35 points a game.
The Demons now face their toughest region test of all against cross-county Perry, the first ranked Class AAAA team in the state.
However, Coach Sams knows this team has battled adversity this season, and is hungry to end the Panthers perfect region record, while preparing themselves for Class AAAA playoff football, especially against an old rival and new region opponent. One coached by Kevin Smith, who coached against Sams when he was the starting Quarterback for the Demons almost 20 years ago.
At Tuesday’s practice, Coach Sams said its all about discipline while executing on the field. If the Demons can do that Friday night at home for Senior Night, Warner Robins can pull off the victory against their new region opponent, and old rival they haven’t faced in 59 years.
“The biggest thing is, we got challenges up ahead” said Coach Sams Tuesday afternoon. “The thing we challenge our team in is composure and execution. That’s the big thing we are talking about and we are trying to rise to the challenge. But, any game that’s in-county is a rivalry. These kids know each other, they grew up together, they knew who you are, so that leads to a rivalry right there. Another well coached team that you’ve got to get ready for. So, anytime like that you are going to pump it up a lot.”
Coach Sams went on to speak about his team’s resilience. “Its the last game of the season. Given how the season has turned out, it will be the last home game for the kids, the seniors and all that so its a huge boost to go in there, because we know with the classification changes, the playoffs are going to be tough, and you need all the momentum you are going to get.”
Senior Demons Jeffrey Johnson and Skylar Williams are ready to fight to earn their confidence heading into the playoffs. “We just got to move on. We got to keep our head up. You got to battle adversity. You can’t just let it beat you” said Johnson at Tuesday’s practice. “Every team in the county I consider a rival. As a senior, you get one chance to play them and I just want to be great, but we got to win this one. Going into the playoffs, {we} got to have a little momentum. We got to win this one, its a big game for us.”
“We’ve come a long way, we’ve made a lot of improvements throughout the season and it’s just got to keep playing our game, and keep playing disciplined, and mistake-free, and we will be fine” said Williams.
Kickoff at ‘The Mac’ is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Catch live pregame coverage during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. Don’t miss highlights from our Game of the Week, and others, on this Friday’s edition of The End Zone during 41NBC News at 11.
