The state’s No. 1-ranked team in Class AAAAA showed from the start why it holds that lofty position.

The Ware County Gators scored on their first snap from scrimmage and the defense throttled the Bradwell Tigers’ running game, leading Ware County to a 48-0 romp Friday night at Olvey Field/Hokey Jackson Stadium.

Ware County improved to 6-0 on the season and 2-0 in Region 1-AAAAA. The Tigers fell to 0-7 on the year and 0-2 in the region.

The Gators had two possessions of two plays and another of just three plays, each ending in a touchdown.

The Gators scored on the first four possessions and Bradwell’s special teams again factored into the scoring. The Gators blocked a punt and though they fumbled on the return, Jake Jones recovered it in the end zone for a 27-0 lead with 10:01 to go.

The Tigers also had punts of 9, 8 and 8 yards. All three set up short fields for Gators’ touchdown drives.

Dae’jeaun Dennis scored on Ware County’s first play on offense, a 47-yard run in which he hit paydirt untouched.

Smith followed with TD passes on the next two series, including a 61-yard strike to DJ Loriston.                                         After the punt block pushed Ware County’s lead to 27-0, Smith connected with Jarvis Hayes for a 36-yard touchdown, with Hayes breaking several tackles on his way to the end zone.

Bradwell had three plays on the Gators’ side of the 50 – on three different possessions – but twice were hit for a loss and were called for a penalty.

Daniels broke free for a 17-yard touchdown run on Ware County’s second play of the second half, and Quintin Orange turned Luke Hooks’ short pass into a 31-yard touchdown pass to complete the scoring with 2:26 remaining in the third quarter.

The Gators punted only once.

Bradwell reached the Ware County 18-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, but Marquan Houston’s pass under pressure was picked off.

The Tigers were held to -21 rushing yards on 25 attempts. Sixteen of those attempts were for no gain or lost yardage.

Bradwell travels to Statesboro on October 21 to take on the Blue Devils at Womack Field.