Summary of last season:
Although the Gators started 2-3 last season, they were ranked in the state’s top 10 all year. Ware County started with a loss to Glynn Academy, then fell at Northside Warner Robins and Lowndes in the first half of the season. Hurricane Matthew caused the cancellation of a game against a Florida team, but then the Gators went on a tear, winning their last four games, all of which were region contests. Ware finished 4-0 in Region 2-AAAAA and took the top seed into the playoffs. They won their first two playoff games against Ola and Loganville, but then fell in the quarterfinals to Rome.
The Coach:
Franklin Stephens is going into his 4th year as head coach of the Gators and has a record of 40-8 at Ware County. Overall, he has one of the best records in the state at 120-16-1 in 10 years as a head coach. He started his career at Tucker, where he won two state championships. Stephens took Lamar County to the state title game and then accepted the job in Waycross. Since then he has been to the playoffs all three years with a trip to the semifinals in 2015 and a trip to the quarterfinals last year.
Outlook for this season?
“If the Gators can mature and avoid major injuries they should be ready playoff time,” Coach Stephens said.
Ware lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team. The leading rusher and passer on offense are gone along with guys who spent a lot of time in the secondary. The entire kicking game will need to be revamped with the loss of the kicker, punter, snapper and holder. However, Ware County has some serious Division I college prospects this year, starting with South Carolina-commit Ernest Jones at linebacker. The offensive line looks strong and is led by 6’6″ 310-pound Jalynn Strickland.
Big games this year:
“Glynn Academy, Lowndes, Northside, Coffee, Wayne County and Statesboro,” Coach Stephens said.
Again, the Gators have lots of tough opponents this year. They start at Glynn Academy and Coffee then host Grady, Northside Warner Robins, Lowndes and East Lake from Florida. Ware County closes with four region contests.
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Gators Look Strong Again
