WR Demons 16 unanswered in 3rd help put away HOCO 29-14

The Warner Robins Demons advanced to 5-1 with what could easily be their most impressive victory of the season, a 29-14 win over Houston County at Freedom Field, Friday night. Warner Robins came out flat in the first quarter and arguably during the first half, and used the rest of the game to prove that they are one of the best teams in Houston County alongside regional rival Veterans (off this week). 

The Warhawks and the Demons won’t play until the final night of the regular season, November 8, so that debate will have to wait for another month. In the meantime what many saw from the Demons during the third quarter -they outscored Houston County 16-0- is plenty of reason why they are expected to make a third consecutive AAAAA state playoff run this winter.

After slugging it out through the first half- The Bears led 7-6 at halftime- the Demons pulled away for a number of reasons starting with defensive pressure. Following their first lead of the game, which came on a 50-yard Jalen Addie pass to junior receiver Armon Porter, the Demons held an already listless Bears offense down with a sack from senior defensive end Jaren McWilliams followed by an interception some 50 yards from the line of scrimmage by senior defensive back Jatavious Bryant. Bryant read the route as if he were a Bears receiver and made an over the shoulder catch of a Max Rigby pass. That was the second Houston County turnover of the game.

The third came on a fumbled punt that placed the Demons in scoring position and ultimately led to a field goal by junior kicker Cary Payne to put Warner Robins ahead 15-7 with 5:16 remaining in the third quarter.

The two-headed Warner Robins running attack of senior James Smith and junior Jahlen Rutherford made coming from behind extremely difficult for teams this season and it was no different for Houston County. If it wasn’t Smith picking up five to six yards a carry it was Rutherford, a key to Warner Robins’ phenomenal 2018 season, picking up the rest en route to what looked like a 100-yard game and a touchdown. Addie also managed to score, running into the endzone after the play action fake hand-off to Rutherford late in the third quarter that out the Demons out of reach at 22-7. Rutherford’s early fourth quarter touchdown-set up by a long run by Smith- was the last touchdown of the game for Warner Robins.

Houston County managed to score again in the fourth quarter, making their total amount of points the last two games 17. The Bears averaged more than 30 during the previous four games.

NEXT:

Warner Robins will open region play next week against Harris County at McConnell-Talbert Stadium. The Tigers are 3-2 this far this season.

Houston County will travel south to Valdosta to open Region 1-6A play. The Wildcats are 5-1, with a 5-0 home record this season. Their only loss coming to rival Lowndes last week.