With the stoutest part of Perry’s defense in its front seven players, Ware County figured it would need to favor the passing game Friday night against its Region 1AAAA rivals.
The Gators didn’t disappoint as quarterback Isaiah White threw for a season-high 220 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-14 victory in Memorial Stadium. The junior also ran three yards for fifthranked Ware County’s other score.
“We said all week we were going to have to spin (throw) the football,” said Gators head coach Jason Strickland. “All the receivers showed up, we had great pass protection, and Isaiah threw the ball well all night.”
The win pushed Ware County’s record to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the region, tied with the Panthers (4-4, 2-1) behind leader Benedictine. The Cadets visit Perry this week after blasting Wayne County 75-7 White completed 18of-24 passes to compile the Gators’ best passing total since collecting 197 yards in a 58-20 win at Bainbridge. He teamed with senior Ja’Mario Rice on eight of the completions for 128 yards and both scores.
Ja’Londi O’Hara had five catches for 45 yards and Gunter Fore had four for 32. Rice and O’Hara also combined for 19 yards on three runs off the jet sweep.
“They were so big and strong in the box we had to get to the perimeter,” Strickland said. “We had to get them running a little bit to the outside.”
That’s not to say Ware County’s running game went on the shelf. Seniors Tayshaun Franklin and Jami Boyd each gained 60 yards, Franklin on 13 carries and Boyd on 12.
“We hoped to get around 100 (yards) between them,” Strickland said. “We told them they were going to have to grind out some yards for us. That’s just what they did.”
That was never more evident than the game’s last drive when the Gators ran off the final 6:15 of the clock after scoring the go-ahead touchdown and then forcing a punt on Perry’s following possession.
“That last drive was a combination of great offensive line play and physical runners,” Strickland said. “I can’t say enough about what they did in that situation.”
Perry running back Decorrion Daniels accounted for the bulk of his team’s 189 yards. The senior ran 20 times for 109 yards and both Panthers touchdowns.
Ware County operated on the Panthers’ side of the field for the better part of the first half before finally breaking through.
The Gators had a first down at the Perry 11 after forcing the first of seven Panthers punts, but suffered a procedure penalty and a sack. Jeffrey Gonzalez attempted a 40yard field goal, but was wide left.
After forcing another punt, the Gators had a first down at the Perry 23, but promptly had two procedure penalties. This time, Gonzalez was wide right on a 49-yard attempt.
The Gators then were stopped on fourth-and-2 at the Perry 13 when Franklin was stacked up just inches short of the line to gain.
“You start to get an uneasy feeling when you get that many opportunities (and don’t score),” Strickland said. “Maybe everybody was just trying to do too much.”
Ware County forced another punt after getting a Panthers’ stop and capitalized. Davion Jones returned the punt 26 yards to give the Gators first down at the Perry 21.
White and Rice teamed on their first touchdown pass on the first play off a stop-and-go pattern. Rice pulled in the pass just inside the end zone, boxing off the defender with his backside and leaping to grab the ball.
“We thought he’d jumped too soon,” Strickland said.
Perry drew even on a six-yard run by Daniels with 1:09 left in the half. His touchdown ended a 11-play, 48-yard drive. All but one of the plays was a run.
Ware County regained the lead off the second half kickoff. White finished an 80-yard, nine-play march when he faked to Franklin into the line and ran three yards untouched around the left end. Gonzalez added the conversion kick with 8:02 left in the third period for a 14-7 lead.
“It’s an option read,” Strickland said. “He (White) gives us something a little extra down there (near the goal line). He sees it well and doesn’t try to force anything.”
Perry tied the game with 1:48 left in the quarter on Daniels’ second touchdown run, this one covering four yards, to cap a five-play, 47-yard drive.
Ware County took the ensuing kickoff and moved 80 yards in eight plays for the game-winning touchdown. White found Rice running behind two defenders in the back of the end zone on a 27-yard pass with 8:02 left in the game.
Perry was able to get two first downs before being forced to punt. The Gators took over at their own 24 and that was the last the Panthers saw of the ball.
Ware County had three first downs, the last coming off a fourth-and-1 play from Franklin, before Boyd sealed the issue with a 19-yard run inside the two-minute mark. Boyd broke free on the play and likely would’ve scored, but instead slid down at the Perry 21.
With no timeouts for Perry, the Gators sapped the clock.
“What a great unselfish play,” Strickland said. “He probably could’ve scored, but knew they’d get the ball and still have a chance (to score).”
Ware County defensive lineman Nick Grant puts a Perry ball carrier in a bear hug and drives him back during action Friday night. Teammate Jamarion Keyhea (8) closes in. Photo By BO CARTER
