With a region championship secured in the high school trophy case, top-ranked Ware County begins its trek toward the elusive Class 5A state championship hardware Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
The Region 1 champion Gators (9-0), who are making a 21st straight playoff apperance, will host Region 2 fourth-seed Jones County (6-4), making a ninth consecutive post-season appearance, with a 5:30 p.m. kick.
Ware County has won 15 straight first round games since 2006 including 12 in a row inside Memorial Stadium. The Greyhounds, who went 2-2 over their final games, have notched three straight wins advancing to the second round in six of the last eight years.
The meeting is the first between the two programs since 1993 when both were members of Region 2-AAA. Ware County notched a 14-13 win in Grey in 1992 and followed up with a 28-0 home win in 1993.
All 32 Class 5A games across the state are being played November 12.
“It does change the routine,” said head coach Jason Strickland referring to this week’s practice schedule. “We’ll (coaches) give the guys Monday off and then get back on the grass Tuesday.”
The Greyhounds, who climbed as high as No. 3 early in the season, are 2-3 this season against opponents ranked in the Top 10 owning wins over then Class 6A seventh-ranked Northside-Warner Robins (27-21) and then third-ranked Dutchtown (24-7).
The losses were to Class 4A sixth-ranked Perry (42-14) and Class 3A eighth-ranked Peach County (35-3) in consecutive weeks, and ninth-ranked Warner Robins (50-34). The fourth setback was to unranked Ola (22-15).
“This group (Jones County) has had a Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde-type season with some headscratching results,” said Strickland. “They (Greyhounds) beat Northside-Warner Robins and Dutchtown for great wins and then drop a couple you wouldn’t think they would.
“I can tell you this is a very good team that has made some deep playoff runs the last couple of years playing in some tough games. They return a good core of players that have been a part of that successs ... we’re going to have our hands full. This team knows how to win and they will not be shaking in their boots coming here to play.”
Fourth-year head coach Mike Chastain (67-25), who led Warner Robins to consecutive finals appearances in 2017 and 2018, has taken the Greyhounds to three consecutive third round appearances.
Jones County comes in averaging 28.2 points per game and 333.1 yards (202.1 passing, 131 rushing) with an fast-paced, uptempo attack similar to what the University of Tennessee utlizes, according to Strickland. The Gators have Class 5A’s stingiest defense allowing just seven points a game.
The Greyhounds are seemingly balanced in the run/pass ratio averaging 30 rush attempts to 29 passes. They have six games of 30-plus passes, four games of 20-plus completions, and five games of 200-plus yards with a high of 322 vs. Locust Grove. Twice Jones County went for 269-plus yards on the ground with a high of 291 vs. Eagles Landing.
“It is a crazy fast tempo,” said Strickland. “As soon as the ball is placed they (Greyhounds) are ready to snap. We’ve got to get lined up quickly and have our players communicating so we don’t blow a call ... it’s going to be tough. We (defensive coaches) have to get the calls in quickly.
“Benedictine is the only team we have faced this year which has used a version of up-tempo. We have practiced some against it with our offense, but this week there will be more emphasis in that approach.”
Junior Judd Anderson (6-foot-6, 210 lbs.) will call the signals for the spread attack. He’s completed 57 percent of his passes to 11 different receivers for 1,537 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has two rushing touchdowns.
Senior Javious Bond (5-11, 185) leads the team in rushing with 368 yards. He has five touchdowns and one 100-yard rushing night. Junior Omarion Tucker (6-foot, 255), who also will play nose guard, is the only other back with more than 300 yards (351). He has a team-high eight touchdowns.
Junior wide receiver Zion Ragins (5-9, 150) tops the team in receptions (40) and yards (513). He also is fourth in rushing (161 yards) and has five combined touchdowns.
Classmate Geo Wade has 39 catches for 495 yards and two scores while fellow classmate Tyler Stewart (5-9, 165) has 27 receptions for 353 yards and a team-leading four scores.
“They (Greyhounds) do a great job with the spread,” Strickland said. “The quarterback does not make bad decisions. They have a good group of linemen.”
Jones County’s defense, which allows 21.4 points a game, will be pitted against a Gators’ offense averaging 35.7 points per Friday. The Greyhounds align in a 3-4 look with two safeties high.
“I think we’re going to get some off-coverage like Coffee gaves us,” said Strickland. “The key is getting protection and time to throw the ball. They (Greyhounds) give you a lot of exotic looks and bring pressure.
“Their defensive line plays really well with their hands and with the exotic scheme it presents problems for the run game. They also tackle really well.”
Junior linebacker Chandler Harris (6-foot, 205) leads the team in tackles with 55 including 35 solo. He has four tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a sack.
Linebacker Ched Smith (Jr., 5-10, 205) is second on the team with 52 stops with 33 solo tackles. Smith has four TFLs and a team-high three sacks.
Senior linebacker Drew Jones (5-9, 195) is third on the team with 40 tackles and a team-high six TFLs. He’s caused two fumbles, has one recovery and one quarterback sack.
Junior Jamarion Parker (6-foot, 260 lbs.) anchors the defensive front. He has recorded 39 tackles with three for a loss to go along with two sacks.
