We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Warner Robins football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Demons this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 10-5
- Points Scored: 412
- Points Allowed: 249
Key Losses
The Demons will enter the Shane Sams era without some key contributors who were a major part of their success over the past few years, including six straight visits to the state championship game. Sams and the Warner Robins fans will miss Vic Burley on the defensive line. The Clemson-bound standout had 193 tackles, with 57 of those TFL. He also racked up 22 sacks, and he contributed 6 catches and 2 TDs from his part-time position as a tight end.
Malcolm Brown, an all-around great athlete, will also be missed this season. He was a workhorse-type of player, carrying the ball 491 times for 3,253 yards rushing and 33 TDs as a Demons running back and catching 34 passes for 342 yards and 3 TDs as a receiver. He also had a TD as a kick returner. RB/OLB Elijia Antonio leaves Warner Robins with141 tackles, including 18 TFL. He also contributed 370 yards rushing with 6 TDs over the last two seasons.
Who’s Back
Coach Sams welcomes back several key players from last year’s team, including WR Cam Flowers, who enjoyed a breakout season last year, nearly doubling his number of receptions from the previous season from 16 to 31, giving him 47 catches for 931 total receiving yards in that span. He also increased his TD total from 3 in 2021 to 10 last season.
Another player who has done a bit of everything for his team is Isiah Canion. At quarterback he has thrown for 776 yards and 8 TD’s and rushed for 231 yards and 3 scores. Add to that his 31 receptions for 446 yards and 6 TDs and you see his importance to the team as an offensive threat. But Canion can also contribute on defense, where he has 2 interceptions. Canion will be a welcomed returnee for Sams and the Demons fans this season. Others coming back to help this 2023 Warner Robins football team are juniors Resean Dinkins, Isiah Gibson, and OL Nick Reeves.
What to Expect
Can Warner Robins make it to yet another state championship game? Their streak is at 6 straight as they get ready to kick off their 2023 season against some really stout competition. New coach Shane Sams is very familiar with the team, having served as the Demons offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018, which were the first two years of the team’s streak of six consecutive title game appearances.
Still, Sams will be under a huge microscope to see if he can fill the shoes of the departed coach, Marquise Westbrook. He should have a great opportunity, given the talent that will greet him in the opening game of the season against Lee County. Isaiah Canion can basically fill in at just about any position on the field. The Demons will miss Vic Burley, but with solid talent returning elsewhere, look for yet another stellar season for Warner Robins football.
Prediction
Don’t expect anything different. Warner Robins finishes 10-5 again.
Game to Watch
Region game against Jones County at “The Mac” on October 27.
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