Post by sswann on Mar 6, 2022 9:14:57 GMT -5
I must admit that even I thought I might never see the day when my Devils would be playing for a state championship in either basketball or football. There's been so many teams throughout the years that appeared to have a chance, yet each time they came up short for one reason or another. A school as small as Warren County just isn't supposed to be there at the end.
There were years when the talent at Warren County was better than it has ever been before. Our teams were loaded. The stands on Friday nights were packed for football games and the gym was overflowing to watch them play basketball. Even those talent laden teams were unable to overcome the the stacked programs of private schools or the teams from communities that were over three times the size of Warren County.
I watched from afar back in the 70's 80's and 90's as Warren County battled with larger programs and struggled to keep kids from leaving the school and community for neighboring towns and programs.
I remember the teams of the mid 2000's. The Devils seemed to have more than their fair share of kids named the CSRA player of the week back then. They fought as hard as anyone on the gridiron and the hardwood, but always came up just short. I could always tell from the pressbox or from behind the lens of my camera when the numbers took a toll and fatigue would get the best of them. It was heartbreaking to see that much talent on the field and know that they were just a few kids short of making it to the end.
There was the year that the Devils seemed certain to win the region in football and control their own destiny. Our team was loaded with talent and playing good enough to win it all until an unprovoked attack after a game ended the dream and what could have been.
Warren County has had to battle through recruiters from other programs that ride into town to steal away our homegrown talent. They tell the kids and their parents that they can offer them so much more and give them opportunities that they will never have in Warren County. They promise to surround them with better talent and give them a chance at state and national championships. They promise them greater exposure to teams at the next level. The ones that have stayed are the greatest in my book. I hope those that left found what they truly wanted.
Keeping a coach long-term has always been a battle that Warren County has faced. It's hard to blame a coach that leaves. Many great ones have walked the sideline for the Devils only to be lured away by substantial pay increases and greater opportunities. Warren County is simply too small to compete when larger systems come calling and open their wallets.
Things changed this year however. The stars seem to have aligned just right. Our teams may not have any D1 schools sending recruiters to sit in the stands on Friday night or in the gym night after night for basketball games, but they play better team ball and with bigger heart than anyone.
Our coaches don't come from programs with a long track record of success. They weren't brought in here because of their winning record to bring a state championship to Warren County. Most of them are home grown coaches. Many of them are community coaches that sacrifice their time away from their job and families for a meager coaching salary. They accept criticism behind their back from those they grew up with and many that have little understanding of the game or the program. They do all this for the love of the game, their love of the community, and most importantly their love of the kids they coach.
Our Devils are playing for a state championship in basketball Wednesday afternoon. It still seems incredible to say it almost 15 hours after it became a reality. Our team will be playing not only for themselves, but for every person that came before them and wore the blue and gold of Warren County. They will be carrying with them the hopes and dreams of generations. As usual, the Devils will once again be the underdog. I can assure you however that the only people in the state of Georgia that will be pulling against Warren County will be those affiliated with their opponent. Win or lose, it's been a great ride. I hope to see you in Macon to cheer on our Devils to a storybook ending!
There were years when the talent at Warren County was better than it has ever been before. Our teams were loaded. The stands on Friday nights were packed for football games and the gym was overflowing to watch them play basketball. Even those talent laden teams were unable to overcome the the stacked programs of private schools or the teams from communities that were over three times the size of Warren County.
I watched from afar back in the 70's 80's and 90's as Warren County battled with larger programs and struggled to keep kids from leaving the school and community for neighboring towns and programs.
I remember the teams of the mid 2000's. The Devils seemed to have more than their fair share of kids named the CSRA player of the week back then. They fought as hard as anyone on the gridiron and the hardwood, but always came up just short. I could always tell from the pressbox or from behind the lens of my camera when the numbers took a toll and fatigue would get the best of them. It was heartbreaking to see that much talent on the field and know that they were just a few kids short of making it to the end.
There was the year that the Devils seemed certain to win the region in football and control their own destiny. Our team was loaded with talent and playing good enough to win it all until an unprovoked attack after a game ended the dream and what could have been.
Warren County has had to battle through recruiters from other programs that ride into town to steal away our homegrown talent. They tell the kids and their parents that they can offer them so much more and give them opportunities that they will never have in Warren County. They promise to surround them with better talent and give them a chance at state and national championships. They promise them greater exposure to teams at the next level. The ones that have stayed are the greatest in my book. I hope those that left found what they truly wanted.
Keeping a coach long-term has always been a battle that Warren County has faced. It's hard to blame a coach that leaves. Many great ones have walked the sideline for the Devils only to be lured away by substantial pay increases and greater opportunities. Warren County is simply too small to compete when larger systems come calling and open their wallets.
Things changed this year however. The stars seem to have aligned just right. Our teams may not have any D1 schools sending recruiters to sit in the stands on Friday night or in the gym night after night for basketball games, but they play better team ball and with bigger heart than anyone.
Our coaches don't come from programs with a long track record of success. They weren't brought in here because of their winning record to bring a state championship to Warren County. Most of them are home grown coaches. Many of them are community coaches that sacrifice their time away from their job and families for a meager coaching salary. They accept criticism behind their back from those they grew up with and many that have little understanding of the game or the program. They do all this for the love of the game, their love of the community, and most importantly their love of the kids they coach.
Our Devils are playing for a state championship in basketball Wednesday afternoon. It still seems incredible to say it almost 15 hours after it became a reality. Our team will be playing not only for themselves, but for every person that came before them and wore the blue and gold of Warren County. They will be carrying with them the hopes and dreams of generations. As usual, the Devils will once again be the underdog. I can assure you however that the only people in the state of Georgia that will be pulling against Warren County will be those affiliated with their opponent. Win or lose, it's been a great ride. I hope to see you in Macon to cheer on our Devils to a storybook ending!