Warner Robins has reached the state championship game in each of the last three seasons. Although the Demons have come up short of winning it all, there’s no question the program has returned to prominence.
Last year, in the first season under head coach Marquis Westbrook, Warner Robins went 13-2. The only losses were a regular-season setback to Class AAAAAAA finalist Colquitt County and to Buford 17-14 in overtime in the championship game. Warner Robins is 39-6 over the last three seasons, with one of those a forfeit loss due to a clerical error.
The Demons will be one of the favorites again when the season opens against Valdosta. Warner Robins has plenty of returning talent and no one would be surprised to see it make another run at the title.
“We’ve got to build the depth that we’re going to need and get these guys on the fringes ready to play in a hurry because we’re going to need everybody,” Westbrook said. “We’ve got a very tough schedule and we’ve got to get ready for it.”
Tough? You bet it is. The new-look Region 1 includes Veterans, Wayne County, Ware County and Coffee – each one first or second in their league last year. The non-region schedule includes rival Northside, Valdosta, Camden County, Houston County and Archer.
And preparation is no easier with the current restrictions and cancellation of the remainder of the school year. “Our feet never touched grass,” Westbrook said. The staff is making the most of the situation by connecting with the players through electronic means and have monitored individual spring workouts as much as possible. They communicate by using the Zoom and Hudl platforms.
“The players will be fine, I think,” Westbrook said. “We’ve got a bunch of guys who have played a lot of snaps. My worries on defense are trying to find some guys who can take over in their zone and make sure these guys know what they’re doing and what we expect them to do.”
The offense is good hands with quarterback Jalen Addie, who made the switch from receiver and stepped in when all-state quarterback Dylan Fromm graduated and put together some sensational numbers. Addie threw for 2,360 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 696 yards and five touchdowns. He ran for 125 yards against the rugged Buford defense in the title game.
Running back Jahlen Rutherford, a 200-pound load with great vision, returns as the featured back. He rushed for 1,337 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught 13 passes as a junior. The Demons lost two-time all-state receiver Marcayll Jones (a Memphis signee) but return Armon Porter (26 catches, five TDs), Daveon Walker and Deuce Petty. The offensive line lost all-region tackle Manny Thompson, but otherwise returns almost intact.
The defense has two all-region pieces in place: outside linebacker Ahmad Walker and middle linebacker Demarcus Robinson. It’s a great nucleus.
The term “unblockable” has been applied to Walker by numerous opposing coaches. He had six tackles in the state championship game – three for loss – and a pair of sacks. Robertson had 10 tackles in the state final.
The secondary took a big hit from graduation, but returns veterans like Antwon Jackson and Xavier Hill.
