It was a good spring at Warner Robins, where last year’s state runner-up escaped without major injuries and began to find some players to plug in to replace those who graduated.
“A lot of guys stepped up,” coach Mike Chastain said. “We’re going to be a little younger this year and we’ve got a good ninth grade class that we think could be special.”
Warner Robins had a special season last fall, going 14-1 and losing to defending champion Rome in the state title game. It was the proud program’s first trip to the final since the Demons won it all in 2004.
“At Warner Robins the expectations come super high,” said Chastain, who will begin his third season.
The 2018 team is expected to be strong again, particularly with the return of all-state quarterback Dylan Fromm and his brother Tyler Fromm, a tight end who has committed to Auburn. Dylan Fromm threw for 3,505 yards and 35 touchdowns and Tyler Fromm caught 43 passes for 529 yards and five touchdowns.
“Anytime you’ve got your starting quarterback back, that’s huge,” Chastain said.
The Demons also return receivers Marcayll Jones (38 catches, five touchdowns) and Devin Brown. It will help offset the loss of all-state receiver Julius Cobbs, who led the team with 69 catches, 1,121 yards and 13 touchdowns. Cobbs signed with West Georgia.
Chastain said there was an emphasis on blocking for the team’s receivers this spring.
A couple of running backs had good spring camps: Deondre Duehart and sophomore Jahlen Rutherford. They’ll be running behind an offensive line that’s expected to feature only one senior and probably one sophomore.
Warner Robins had its share of standouts on defense, too. Trey Franklin is a safety who moved into the area. Caleb Thomas (6-2, 265) is a defensive lineman, who also plays the “heavy” tight end. Linebacker Ahmad Walker returns and Christian Anderson should be back for summer camp.
The Demons will participate in several 7-on-7 camps this summer, including the one at the University of Georgia. They open the season on Aug. 17 at home against Tift County.
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