Ware County’s 69th season of football starts on the road Friday against a Bainbridge squad opening up its 111th season and third head coach in three years.
The Gators of eighth-year coach Jason Strickland enter the 2026 opener hoping answers to a depleted offensive line have answers from off-season workouts and summer camps.
Ware County played just one pre-season scrimmage, that coming two weeks ago with a 2114 win over visiting Brunswick.
“We’ve had some really good practices since the Brunswick game,” said Strickland. “They were high-energy practices that included corrections. We (coaches) also move some more guys around hoping to find added depth.
“The guys are upbeat and ready to face somebody other than themselves. We’ve had some good games with them (Bearcats) and, we’ve had their number he last couple of years.
“They have a new coach and I’m sure his guys are excited and ready to get back to playing some physical football.”
Bainbridge will be led by Jamey DuBose (171-61), who has returned to Georgia for his 21st season as a head coach. Du-Bose coached 16 years in Alabama winning three state titles and the past two seasons in Biloxi, Miss. His first Georgia coaching gig was at Lowndes from 2020-21 where he went 20-5. Friday’s meeting is the 25th between the two programs since first matching up in 1962. The Gators hold a 15-9 series advantage after winning 13 of the last 15 encounters since a 60-8 beatdown at home in 1998.
WCHS rolled to a 58-20 victory last season as the seventhranked team in Class 4A en route to a 5-0 start to the season.
Ware County is unranked entering the season for the first time since 2019, Strickland’s first year at the helm. According to the head coach, Bainbridge will operate out of spread look and with multiple tight ends.
“What we (coaches) have seen on film is a good RPO (Run-Pass Option) game and zone running plays,” said Strickland. “When they go with multiple tight ends, they run a lot of counter plays. We’re not sure what we might see so we’re preparing for both.”
Lee County transfer Jeremy Jones (Jr., 6-foot, 187 lbs.) will call the signals at the quarterback position for the Bearcats. Jones completed 5-of-6 passes for 27 yards and rushed for 12 yards on two attempts last season in limited action.
“From what we’ve (coaches) seen, he’s pretty good,” Strickland said. “The key for us is going to be our mental toughness and our ability to tackle for four quarters. We tackled well in the first quarter against Brunswick and then started missing tackles the next two quarters.
“It’s going to be hot, so we’ve got to be hydrated, and we have to be able to tackle.”
The backfield will include sophomore Xavian Jackson (5-6, 140), who was the Region 1-AAA Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. He will joined by senior Noah Stutler (5-10, 205).
Senior Vontrey Willingham (5-9,
150), a first team all-region selection, is the leading returning receiver after catching 23 passes for
317 yards (13.8 per reception) and two scores. Junior Damian Price (5--
8, 140) caught six passes for 46 yards.
Bainbridge should be much improved defensively after allowing
36.2 points a game in 2025. The Bearcats return second team all-region linebacker Kristian Garland (5--
9, 165) and Price, a second team defensive back.
“In the defensive box they (Bearcats) are big and strong with a very good linebacker,” said Strickland. “We (coaches) are expecting to see them load up the box like Brunswick did and dare us to throw it.
“We’ve got a special quarterback (senior Isaiah White). We’ve talked as a staff and we’re going to put the ball in his hands and let him throw while the offensive line (five new starters) comes together.
“We’ve got two special running backs in (Ma’Siyer) McKoy and (Jimmy) Taylor to go along with some wide receivers. We’ve got to be able to run it and throw the ball around.”
Stutler lines up at middle linebacker. He had 50 tackles with six tackles for losses. Garland, who plays outside linebacker, led the team with 58 tackles with a teamhigh seven TFLs.
Junior free safety Carlos Faison
(5-10, 150) anchors the defensive backfield after finishing with 36 tackles, and two tackles for losses. Senior cornerback Israel Butler (6foot, 165) finished with 29 tackles and two TFLs. Junior strong safety Travis Bruton (5-10, 155) recorded
26 tackles.
WCHS vs. BHS Gators lead 15-9 WCHS BCHS
1962 ........................6 ..................7
1963 ......................28 ................12
1986........................0 ................21
1987 ........................0 ................21
1994.......................14................26
1995 ........................0 ..................7
1996 ......................30................38
1997.......................41................28
1998 ........................6................60
1999 ......................35................28
2000 .....................35................29
2001......................22 ................35
2002......................31 ................13
2003 .....................38 ................14
2004......................31 ................14
2005 ......................31 ................16
2011....................$ 21 ................14
2013 ..................% 49 ..................7
2020......................35................30
2021 ......................42.................15
2022......................22 ................16
2023 ......................21 ................35
2024......................49 ..................7
2025......................58................20 $-Class 4A 1st round %-Class 5A 1st round
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