Three weeks ago, Warner Robins sat at rock bottom. Coming off a 61-0 loss to Benedictine and a setback at Wayne County, the Demons looked nowhere near playoff contention. But head coach Shane Sams never blinked. When asked then what it would take to secure a postseason berth, his answer was simple — and bold: “If we win three in a row, we can be the number two seed.”
Friday night, that unlikely mission became reality.
The Demons completed a remarkable turnaround with a thrilling 33-26 victory over rival Perry, securing their third consecutive win and surging into the GHSA playoffs with momentum.
Perry struck first when John Levy split the uprights from 31 yards out late in the opening quarter. Warner Robins answered quickly. Quarterback Chandler Dyson connected with Ezra Goings, who elevated over a defender for a highlight-reel 32-yard touchdown grab. The extra point try by Jabez Ht00 made it 7-3.
After a scoop-and-score by Quan Gordon set them up at the two-yard line, the Demons added a 20-yard field goal by Htoo to push the lead to 10-3. Levy answered for Perry from 42 yards out, trimming the margin to 10-6 before the Panthers grabbed a 13-10 lead on a 19-yard touchdown strike from Jahmard Cobb to Castor Engelbach
The lead was short-lived. On the very next snap from scrimmage, Dyson hit X’zavier Cannon in stride for an electrifying 80-yard touchdown, giving Warner Robins a 17-13 halftime advantage.
Warner Robins opened the third quarter with a defensive stop, then cashed in when Dyson powered in from nine yards out to extend the lead to 24-13.
But Perry punched back. A Ja’Quavion Green interception set up a 14-yard touchdown run by Bhryson Gordon, cutting the deficit to 24-20. With Dyson briefly sidelined, backup Ellison Dantes calmly led the Demons downfield, setting up Htoo’s 22-yard field goal and a 27-20 edge heading to the final quarter.
Perry refused to fade. Corey Daniels capped a determined drive with a nine-yard touchdown run. After a Demon offsides penalty on the PAT moved the ball inside the two, the Panthers went for two — and Warner Robins’ defensive front, led by Davion Dixon, delivered a game-saving stop to preserve a 27-26 lead.
Moments later, the defense sealed the comeback. DeMarcus Cooper jumped a passing lane and raced 30 yards for a pick-six, stretching the lead to 33-26 following a blocked PAT.
Warner Robins’ defense stood tall the rest of the way, securing the win.
With the victory Warner Robins will be home to face Eastside and Perry will travel to powerhouse North Oconee for a tough 1st round road game.
