In one of the most thrilling games of the season, the Warner Robins Demons held off the Ware County Gators for a 48–44 victory Friday night.
The fireworks started immediately when Khari Ptomey took the opening kickoff 98 yards to the house, and Jbez Htoo added the PAT to make it 7–0 Demons just seconds into the contest.
Ware County responded after forcing a fumble deep in their own territory, Mark Hill “Count” Conaway scooped it up and scored to even things at 7–7 with 9:49 left in the first quarter.
The Gators struck again on their next possession, capping a 53-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run by Isaiah White. Jeffrey Gonzalez hit the PAT to make it 14–7 Ware County.
Warner Robins answered quickly — Zay Cannon powered in from five yards out, and another Jbez Htoo PAT tied the game at 14–14 with 1:24 remaining in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, quarterback Chandler Dyson gave the Demons the lead again with a 4-yard touchdown run, and Jbez’s kick made it 21–14 with 8:16 to go before halftime. But Ware County responded once more — Tayshawn Franklin punched it in from two yards out to tie things at 21–21.
With just over four minutes left in the half, Warner Robins went 80 yards in style. Dyson found Peyton Zitterman for a 39-yard touchdown strike, though the PAT missed, leaving it 27–21 Demons.
Ware County, however, returned the ensuing kickoff deep into Demon territory and scored again on a 2-yard run by Franklin with 24 seconds left in the half. Gonzalez was good on the extra point, and the Gators led 28–27 at halftime.
Ware opened the second half with strong field position and extended their lead on a 49-yard field goal by Gonzalez, pushing it to 31–27.
Warner Robins answered midway through the third when Jaden Hill punched in a 1-yard touchdown run. The PAT was good, and the Demons took back the lead, 34–31.
But Gonzalez’s 24-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter tied things at 34–34.
Ware regained momentum on a 59-yard punt return touchdown by Davion Jones with 10:31 remaining, taking a 41–34 lead.
Controversy struck moments later when an apparent Demon recovery was ruled an incomplete pass, followed by a pair of unsportsmanlike penalties that gave Ware possession at the Warner Robins 16-yard line. Still, the Demons defense held firm, forcing a 37-yard field goal from Gonzalez to make it 44–34 Gators with about five minutes to play.
Warner Robins wasn’t done. Dyson hit Cannon on a 33-yard touchdown pass, cutting it to 44–41 with 4:13 left.
Then, with 1:36 remaining, Khari Ptomey capped an incredible night by scoring on an 8-yard touchdown run, completing a 73-yard drive to give Warner Robins a 48–44 lead.
Ware County’s final drive reached the Demon 8-yard line, but the Gators turned it over on downs — sealing a dramatic win for the Demons.
