Bradwell ran into a buzz saw Friday, falling to powerhouse Ware County, 48-0, Friday in Waycross.
The Gators, the No. 9 team in Class AAAAA, are considered to be one of the strongest and fastest teams in Georgia in all classifications. It showed Friday, as Ware, which lost to Gainesville in last season’s AAAAA championship, held the Tigers to one first down on the night.
“There is really not much to say — played a better, more physical team and it showed,” Bradwell Institute head coach Adam Carter said. “We just need to try and regroup and finish the season strong against Groves.”
Bradwell fell to 3-6 on the season and 2-4 in Region 3-AAAAA. The Tigers will close the 2013 campaign against Groves next Friday at Garden City Stadium. The Rebels are 1-8 overall, with its only victory against Windsor Forest.
Bradwell’s offense was anemic Friday, running only 26 plays and gaining just 14 total yards. The Tigers did not convert one third down.
Meanwhile, Ware rolled up 307 yards on 55 plays, converted on five of seven trips to the red zone and didn’t punt to Bradwell.
The Gators scored in the first quarter taking a 7-0 lead but opened up a scoring barrage in the second quarter. Ware scored 35 points in the second quarter to be up 42-0 heading into the locker room for halftime.
The third quarter saw Ware breakout a long touchdown run for 69 yards, and the Gators added a final score in the fourth quarter to end the Tigers’ misery. “When you play a team the caliber of Ware County, you must come out and play fast and physical to match them, and we were unable to do that,” Carter said. “Defensively, we could not get off the field, and our offense struggled to get anything going. Miscues in special teams will always cost you against good football teams. I hope we can learn from this and become a stronger team.”
Tiger quarterback LaBaron Anthony was 4-for-6 passing for 23 yards. Dion Stewart had three catches for 17 yards.
Defensively, senior end Keith Summers and junior linebacker Isaiah Barnes had three tackles apiece. Barnes also forced a Ware County fumble.