Demons take care of Patriots, advance to Elite Eight

COLUMBUS, Ga. — The Warner Robins Demons are on a roll. For the second round of the GHSA playoffs, they traveled to Columbus and spanked the Northside Patriots 38-7, ending their season. Going into the game, Warner Robins was on a six-game win streak, and they have had a lot of success on offense recently.

In the last three games, they have managed to score 137 points combined, playing like a team with championship aspirations; however, the starting quarterback, Chase Reese, who has played a huge role in the offensive production, went down with an injury in the second quarter against Jenkins, and he did not return.

With Reese at the helm, Warner Robins scored 24 points in the first half, but after his departure, they only managed to score seven points in the second half, raising some concerns. Jordan Powell, who has a lot of potential, as I’ve stated before, entered the game right before halftime, but he has not played much this season, and he is young. Coach Westbrook decided to go with Isiah Canion, a junior who has more experience at the position, in the second half, and he provided the spark the Demons needed to close the show against Jenkins. Although Canion competed with Powell and Reese for the starting quarterback competition in the preseason, he, like Powell, has not had much playing time.

Reese was not ready to go against Northside, so Canion got the start. Looking more comfortable — probably due to the reps in the week of practice leading up to the game — Reese and the offense got things going early against Northside, just like they did against Jenkins. After forcing a punt, Warner Robins drove down the field, and they finally scored on a four-yard rushing touchdown by Elijah Antonio to go up 6-0. Daniel Barber tacked on the extra point, making it 7-0.

On the ensuing drive, Northside was feeling the heat from Warner Robins’ front four, and Vic Burley, the four-star prospect and Clemson signee, made his presence felt early, bringing down Northside’s quarterback in the backfield for his first sack of the game. After getting backed up, Northside had to punt, and Warner Robins took it right down the field again, scoring this time on a short run from Malcom Brown, making it 13-0. Warner Robins tacked on the extra point, extending the lead to 14-0.

Bear Bryant, considered to be one of the best college coaches of all time, said that defense wins championships. Looking back at the dynasties of the Bears and Steelers, he was probably right, and Warner Robins has one of the strongest defenses in Class 5A. With Canion quickly adapting to the system, Warner Robins should be in a good position to make it to the championship game — but they will have to get by Creekside, who is a very good team, first. Warner Robins looks hungry, and they are heating up at the right time.

After they exchanged punts, Canion started mounting an air attack, hitting Burley for a 30-yard passing touchdown. This put Warner Robins in control 21-0 after the extra point. Warner Robins’ defense held Northside again before halftime, so the score remained 21-0 going into halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Canion hit Chaz Sturn for a 64-yard touchdown pass, and the Demons were making a statement in Columbus. Early in the season, Warner Robins had three losses, but most of them were to schools from larger classes — 6A and 7A — so in many ways the stiff competition has continued paying dividends.

After facing Valdosta and Lee County, they have seen some of the best teams in the state. Now they are battle-tested, and they are ready to silence all of the naysayers who wrote them off at the beginning of the season. Valdosta is in Class 7A, and they are an extremely talented team. In fact, I’m not sure Warner Robins will see anything like that again in the playoffs, though Creekside is close, so that experience is invaluable.

Up 28-0, Warner Robins was driving again, but they had to settle for a field goal by Barber, making it 31-0. Vic Burley was at again, and he recovered a fumble on the next possession, killing the Northside drive. Warner Robins scored again on a 35-yard run by William Gunnings III to go up 37-0. After they tacked on the extra point, it was 38-0. Northside finally scored on a short rushing touchdown with about three minutes to go, but the game had been over since the second quarter.

Warner Robins will face Creekside next. Like Warner Robins, Creekside faced stiff competition early in the season. They lost their first two games, but their second game was a close loss to Dutch Fork, one of the best high school programs in South Carolina.

Dutch Fork is currently ranked 35th in the nation, and they just slipped past Creekside 20-14, which tells me they are going to provide a stiff test for Warner Robins. Warner Robins’ defense will be tested, and if they can slow down Creekside’s potent offense, it will give them the best chance to win.

I’m sure Coach Westbrook is working on a game plan, and the Demons will have a week to prepare for the matchup. We will have to see if his playoff experience helps him come up with something that can put Creekside’s offense on ice.

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