Jason Strickland has encountered a lot on the high school football field since he began coaching in the 1990s, but this season brought a first.
“This is the first time I’ve been part of a team that’s lost its five starting lineman,” the Ware County head coach said last week in a luncheon address to the Waycross Rotary Club. “I’ve been coaching 30 years and that collection of young men might’ve been the best group ever. They played a lot of great football together for three years and all are high character, high academic guys.
“Three of the five are now (playing) in college and a fourth could have if he wanted.”
It’s against that backdrop Strickland prepares for the start of his eighth season leading the Gators. Ware County opens the season — the 69th in school history — Friday night, August 21 at Bainbridge.
Not only did the starting line from last year’s 9-3 season depart via graduation, but so did two key backups. The coaches have brought some players over from defense to round out this season’s unit.
“What this means is guys who’ve worked hard in the past now have their opportunity,” said Strickland, who’s working with a rotation of six to seven players to find a cohesive five.
Ware County head football coach Jason Strickland speaks to the Waycross Rotary Club last week at its luncheon meeting. Strickland is in his eighth season leading the Gators. Photo By RICK NOLTE
“The (offensive) coaches don’t think there’s a lack of talent with the group, just a lack of reps in a game. We’re excited about watching them grown and develop.
“They’ve put in a ton of hard work the past few months.”
The line’s inexperience is the biggest of the voids for the Gators in 2026. There’s a similar concern on the defensive line where a pair of two-year starters graduated, and there’s also holes at the second and third levels.
Topping the list of experienced players is senior quarterback Isaiah White and his top receiver and classmate Ja’Londi O’Hara. Junior Ma’Siyer (MooMoo) McKoy filled in at running back last year behind seniors Tayshaun Franklin and Jamir Boyd, both of whom now are playing in college, but he’s also starting on defense.
White had the luxury of operating with that experienced line in his first year as a starter, and Strickland said the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has built off that foundation.
“He had all the tools, but we didn’t know how well he’d manage the offense,” the coach said. “But he was phenomenal. He’s grown physically this year, gotten faster and improved his arm strength.
“Maybe the best thing is his patience. He knows with that group up front there’ll be some growing pains and it’ll take time, but’s he never loses his composure.”
As a two-way player, McKoy will be a rarety in Strickland’s tenure.
“It’s the first time we’ve had a true two-way player,” the coach said of the running back/cornerback. “He’s one of the best football players we have and too good to sit and watch. He’ll be a critical part of the defense.”
Sophomore Jimmy Taylor will be White’s backfield mate when McKoy gets a rest.
The defense is anchored by senior veterans Jamarion Keyhea at linebacker and Davion Jones in the secondary. The kicking and punting remains in experienced hands with junior Jeffrey Gonzalez.
The Georgia High School Association’s two-year reclassification cycle has placed Ware in Class AAAAA and in a new region.
The Gators now are in an eightteam region that stretches from Savannah into the Augusta area with only holdovers Benedictine and Wayne County along with former region foes Statesboro and Jenkins as familiar opponents.
The state’s larger classes also are subject to the GHSA’s point system covering a school’s entire schedule to determine the playoff bracket. Strickland said the change is a “scary thought” after decades of determing playoffs from the outcome of region play.
“I know in late November some people are going to be really happy and some are really not.”Strickland said.
Strickland, 64-21 in his tenure at Ware, praised the county administration for its role in the program’s success.
He mentioned the high school’s all-weather practice facility used by all sports teams as well the band as an example of the commitment to students.
“I’m so grateful to be given the chance to lead this football program,” the coach said. “I can’t say enough how blessed and excited I am to continue another year.”
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