Three first-year head coaches and one wily old veteran have their programs in the Class AAAAA semifinal round, which offers more than its share of twists and turns.
None of the rookies are really rookies. All three have been around. It’s just their first year running their particular program.
At Jones County, Mike Chastain has the Greyhounds in the semifinals for the first time since 1961. He took the job after rebuilding the Warner Robins program and helped lead the Demons to the state championship game in 2018 and 2019. He was 29-12 in three seasons at Warner Robins, which includes a 3-8 first season and a forfeit loss in 2018.
At Warner Robins, Marquis Westbrook was promoted to head coach from defensive coordinator, a role he held for three seasons. Westbrook grew up in Cordele, played both ways at Crisp County High School and played at the University of Florida.
At Buford, popular defensive coordinator Bryant Appling was promoted to head coach after the school parted ways with John Ford, who went 21-5 in two seasons. Appling has taken the Wolves back to their roots as a run-based attack that enjoys playing a physical brand of football. The lone misstep was a loss to Clarke Central in the season finale that broke the school’s streak of six straight region titles.
At Starr’s Mill, veteran Chad Phillips is on the sidelines for his 10th season as head coach. The Panthers remain one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the state and continue to baffle the opposition with their triple option. Phillips is 77-40 and the team just won its fourth straight region championship.
Here’s a look at Friday’s semifinal games:
Starr's Mill (10-3) at Warner Robins (12-1): Unranked Starr's Mill has reeled off eight straight wins since its uncharacteristic three-game losing streak. No. 1 Warner Robins' lone loss has been to Class AAAAAAA No. 1 Lowndes.
Starr’s Mill will try to control the ball on the ground, eat away the clock and improve their odds by keeping the ball away from Warner Robins. Quarterback Hunter Lawson knows how to run the option attack and 1,000-yard runner Kalen Sims and Ben Bodne, who is closing in on 1,000 yards.
Warner Robin has rebuilt its offense behind quarterback Jalen Addie, who took over for record-setter Dylan Fromm. The junior has thrown for 2,142 yards and six touchdowns and run for another 536 yards. He has great targets in Marcayll Jones, who set the state receiving a year ago and has 37 catches for 731 yards this year. The Demons have a two-pronged running attack in Jahlen Rutherford (1,246 yards) and James Smith (840).
This is only the second meeting between the two clubs. Starr’s Mill knocked off No. 1-ranked Warner Robins in the second round of the playoffs in 2000.
Buford (12-1) at Jones County (12-1): The rankings are misleading. Buford is No. 5, but spent most of the season as No. 1. Jones County is No. 7, but was No. 3 by the end of the year. Both saw their ranking drop when they lost their season finale, Buford to Clarke Central and Jones County to Stockbridge.
Buford boasts one of the top offensive lines in the state, led by Alabama commitment Set McLaughlin. Last week they helped open the door for sophomore Victor Venn, who rushed for 235 yards in his first varsity start and helped the Wolves beat Carrollton. Buford is without its two leading rushers. And the Wolves may have the best defense among the four remaining semifinalists, depending on health.
Jones County has ridden the arm of quarterback Hunter Costlow, who has thrown for 2,832 yards and 29 touchdowns. His favorite receivers are Jontavis Robertson, who has 62 catches for 1,131 yards and nine touchdowns, and Maleek Wooten, who has 55 catches for 875 yards and 12 touchdowns. Running back Andrew Carner (1,119 yards, nine TDs) rounds out the attack and is a breakaway threat. The Jones County defense is underrated; the Hounds intercepted four passes against Griffin.
Buford and Jones County have played one time, with Buford winning 56-26 in the second round of the playoffs in 2016.
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