Warner Robins advances to quarterfinals with 25-17 win over Rome

The Warner Robins  Demons are back in the AAAAA quarterfinals for a third consecutive season after defeating the Rome Wolves, for a consecutive season, 25-17 Friday night.

The game biggest play just so happened to the final play of the game when the Wolves, down by eight points and moving the ball effectively throughout the final 4:08 of the game, had one final play with just eight seconds remaining. Rome junior quarterback Caleb Ellard found senior receiver Adam Peterson for what looked like 19 yards. The two had connected on a number of plays during the game but this would be their final for the season. Peterson hit the ground two yards short of the goal line and for that matter the ultimate goal for hundreds of teams in the state and throughout the country. The Demons, undefeated at McConnell-Talbert Stadium this season, were continuing their state playoffs, the Wolves were headed home.

Warner Robins’ defense held the Wolves to just seven points during the fourth quarter. Rome only had the ball twice during the final period. Their only touchdown of the second half came on yet another Ellard to Peterson play, this one for 18 yards, at the 6:55 mark. The Demons may not have scored during the fourth but the defense got their point across loud and clear by forcing the Wolves into three third downs on that final four-minute drive. Rome had three timeouts when they received the final punt of the game on their own 20 -yard line to start the drive. 

Demons junior running back Ahmad Walker and quarterback Jalen Addie have performed at a high level all season and Friday night was no different. Walker scored his two touchdowns on runs during crucial points of the game: during the first quarter to put the Demons up 6-0 and during the third quarter to extend Warner Robins’ lead to 15 points. 

Addie scored his sole touchdown of the after fumbling a snap during the third quarter. After recovering the ball he raced down the right sidelines for 18 yards and the score. That run gave the Demons a 18-10 lead with two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Moments earlier the Wolves capped a quick drive with a 41-yard field goal to cut the Demons lead to just two points.

Warner Robins will host Clarke Central Friday night for a trip to the semifinals. 

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