2019 GHSA STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Class AAAAA
Buford vs. Warner Robins Friday, December 13 | 4:30 PM By Seth Ellerbee
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BUFORD 13-1, REGION 8 NO. 2 SEED
uford lost a stunner to Clarke Central 31-28 in the final game of the regular season and then carried the Region 8-AAAAA No. 2 seed to the state championship. From 2000-16, Buford won 10 state championships and lost in five championship games. Since 2000, its worst finishes were quarterfinal exits in 2005, 2006 and last year. From 2007-16 the Wolves were in the championship game in each of the 10 seasons with victories in 2007-10 and 2012-14. In his first season as head coach, Bryant Appling has continued the expected levels of success at Buford. The Wolves pride themselves on defense, and in their 29-0 semifinal victory over Jones County, Buford sacked Jones County quarterback Hunter Costlow six times and got a safety while holding the Greyhounds to just 33 rushing yards. Against Jones, Buford gained 287 yards on the ground and controlled the clock to perfection. Its offensive line allowed running back Victor Venn 14 carries, 108 yards and two touchdowns.
2019 RESULTS JONESBORO..................................................41-0 W MILTON.......................................................26-23 W LIFE CHRISTIAN (VA)..................................33-32 W NEWTON......................................................42-14 W ARCHER......................................................29-28 W JOHNSON-GAINESVILLE..............................56-7 W CEDAR SHOALS...........................................31-13 W
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LOGANVILLE.................................................30-7 W WALNUT GROVE............................................49-0 W CLARKE CENTRAL........................................31-28 L DECATUR.......................................................43-6 W WARE COUNTY............................................ 34-6 W CARROLLTON..............................................24-21 W JONES COUNTY.............................................29-0 W
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WARNER ROBINS 13-1, REGION 1 NO. 1 SEED
arner Robins lost to Rome at home in the championship game in 2017 after snowy conditions postponed the games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Then, after losing in a marathon triple-overtime thriller to Bainbridge 47-41 in the championship game last year at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Demons enter this year’s championship with a title-sized chip on their shoulders. Warner Robins is in the hunt for its fifth state title and first since 2004 after winning in 1976, 1981 and 1988. In the semifinals, the Demons displayed why the offense has been lauded all season with a 55-3 victory over Starr’s Mill. Junior quarterback Jalen Addie is 144-of-278 passing for 2,297 yards and 23 touchdowns. Armon Porter, Ty Carr and Marcayll Jones are favorite targets. On the ground, Addie, Jalen Rutherford, Ahmad Walker and James Smith are threats. The Demons enter the title game scoring 35.7 points per game.
2019 RESULTS TIFT COUNTY...............................................24-10 W LOCUST GROVE.............................................43-7 W BALDWIN....................................................37-14 W COLQUITT COUNTY.......................................31-14 L NORTHSIDE-WARNER ROBINS.....................39-0 W HOUSTON COUNTY......................................29-14 W HARRIS COUNTY.........................................37-22 W
THOMAS COUNTY CENTRAL........................45-10 W BAINBRIDGE...............................................28-21 W VETERANS..................................................47-17 W JONESBORO..................................................28-7 W ROME..........................................................25-17 W CLARKE CENTRAL.......................................49-14 W STARR’S MILL...............................................55-3 W
