By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

Warner Robins (13-1) vs. Buford (13-1)

Series record: First meeting

Maxwell Ratings prediction: Buford by 1

Warner Robins Demons

Head coach: Marquis Westbrook, first season, 13-1

Location: Warner Robins

Enrollment (GHSA 2020, FTE): 1,620

2019

Beat Tift County 24-10

Beat Locust Grove 43-7

Beat Baldwin 3714

Lost to No. 5/3/7A Colquitt County 31-14

Beat Northside 39-0

Beat No. 9/10/6A Houston County 29-14

Beat Harris County 37-22

Beat Thomas County Central 45-10

Beat Bainbridge 28-21

Beat No. 8/7 Veterans 47-17

Playoffs

Beat Jonesboro 28-7

Beat No. 3/6 Rome 25-17

Beat Clarke Central 49-14

Beat Starr’s Mill 55-3

Buford Wolves

Head coach: Bryant Appling, first season, 13-1

Location: Buford

Enrollment (GHSA 2020, FTE): 1,543

2019

Beat Jonesboro 41-0

Beat No. 6/9/7A Milton 265-23

Beat Life Christian (Va.) 33-22

Beat Newton 42-14

Beat No. 10/7A Archer 29-28

Beat Johnson-Gainesville 56-7

Beat Cedar Shoals 31-13

Beat Loganville 30-7

Beat Walnut Grove 49-0

Lost to Clarke Central 31-28

Playoffs

Beat Decatur 43-6

Beat No. 4 Ware County 34-6

Beat No.1 / 2 Carrollton 24-21

Beat No. 7/3 Jones County 29-0

Analysis

The Wolves have played a stronger schedule.

The Wolves are used to being here.

The Wolves are well-equipped for the weather.

The Wolves survived the rough-and-tumble road trip all the way down to Jones County, apparently just short of a roughing-it camping trip.

And Buford is favored, as it should be.

Nevertheless …

The Demons have played a quality schedule.

The Demons are used to being here.

The Demons have won by land or by air.

The Demons have handled some weather, but have been blessed to be at home – or near home – for more than a month.

Warner Robins head coach Marquis Westbrook has done a phenomenal job managing the players and coaches, and this may be the most cohesive Demon team in awhile. They have more quality players back than people realize, since most people are following big names.

What Jalen Addie has done stepping in at quarterback is nothing short of superb, between running and passing and reading the option and keep the Demons out of bad plays as they moved to a little more balanced offense. Marcayll Jones hasn’t come close to last year’s receiving numbers, but he remains a huge threat as part of a quality group of receivers.

What folks are overlooking is an upper-level defense, albeit still a little young but with experience. And the Demons have quality at all three levels, but linebackers Demarcious Robinson, Ahmad Walker, and Malachi Weatherspoon team to make up an elite unit.

Both teams are deep at running back, led by Gabe Ervin (1,115 yards) for Buford and Jahlen Rutherford (1,290) for Warner Robins. Addie has 2,297 yards passing to 1,376 for Jarvis Evans, the Wolves a little underrated in the passing game.

The Demons have to be much better and more consistent in special teams, especially points after touchdown. They’ve survived bad nights and then followed with quality execution. So that’s may be the big question mark in this game, finishing the scoring plays with the points after.

Because they count now more than ever.

The Sports Report’s pick

Warner Robins just seems to have something.

The Demons are consistent, flashy but not flashy, and have simply taken care of business regardless the opponent, storyline, whatever. That continues.

Warner Robins 27, Buford 23.