STATESBORO - Alton Sanders rushed for three second-half touchdowns as Warner Robins rallied from a one-point halftime deficit to defeat Statesboro 34-13 for the Class AAAA state championship Friday night.<br>
<br>
The title is the fourth for Warner Robins in school history and first since 1988.<br>
<br>
Sanders had scoring runs of 1, 8 and 47 yards as the Demons (14-0-1) muscled past Statesboro (14-1). Warner Robins dominated the second half in time of possession and yards gained as it erased a 13-12 Statesboro halftime lead. The Demons gained over 200 of their 373 total yards after halftime while holding Statesboro to just 23 total yards after intermission.<br>
<br>
Sanders and fullback Kyle Hicks each eclipsed personal rushing marks. Sanders (24 carries, 154 yards) went over 2,000 for the season. Hicks (16-109) went over 1,000.<br>
<br>
The Demons took the lead for good when Sanders went over from the one-yard-line with 7:09 to play in the third quarter to give Warner Robins an 18-13 lead. Sanders then ran for a two-point conversion. His eight-yard run in with 7:21 to play in the game extended the lead to 27-13.<br>
<br>
Statesboro's Nick Wedlow scored on a fourth down from the two-yard-line with 13.8 seconds to play in the first half to send the Blue Devils into the locker room with a 13-12 lead.<br>
<br>
Warner Robins led 12-6 and was in a position to perhaps add to the advantage with 1:08 remaining in the first half. But Maurice Gray fumbled at his own 27 while returning a Statesboro punt. Cory Rushing recovered for the Blue Devils who pushed the ball into the end zone right before the half.<br>
<br>
Statesboro drove 89 yards for the opening score of the game. Wedlow ran the final four yards to put the Blue Devils on top 6-0. However, Zach Sanders pulled his try for the conversion point to the left. The drive took nearly four minutes with Wedlow gaining 44 yards on the ground. Statesboro also converted a pair of third downs including a 15-yard pass completion from David Cone to Charles Rock that moved the ball to the Demons' four before the touchdown.<br>
<br>
Warner Robins tied it after Gray intercepted a pass. On second down from the Statesboro 46, Hicks hit the line on a trap play that went for a touchdown. Grady Young blocked the try by Jake Grubbs and the teams ended the first quarter in a 6-6 tie.<br>
<br>
The Demons took the lead with a long drive of their own. Quarterback Mark Wright (3-4, 102 yards) capped it with a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Richardson with 2:18 remaining in the half. Richardson also caught an 18-yard pass to keep the drive moving. Grubbs' conversion was blocked again, however.<br>
<br>
Wedlow carried 18 times for 82 yards to lead the Blue Devils. David Cone threw two interceptions for Statesboro which was forced to play catch up after the Demons took the lead.<br>
<br>
(The Associated Press)
