FITZGERALD, Ga. - September 3, 2026 - The Ware County JV Gators hit the road Thursday evening for a tough matchup against the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane. The Gators battled from start to finish and produced big plays on both sides of the football, but a pair of costly turnovers ultimately helped Fitzgerald escape with a narrow 14-13 victory.
Despite the setback, Ware County showed plenty of positives throughout the contest, particularly with an opportunistic defense that repeatedly found ways to get the football back into the hands of the Gator offense.
Gator Defense Creates Three Takeaways
Ware County’s defense stepped up throughout the night, forcing Fitzgerald into mistakes and creating three interceptions.
Riyland Munford, Ke’Ondre Williams, and Zacchaeus Solomon each recorded an interception for the Gators. The three takeaways highlighted an aggressive defensive effort and gave Ware County additional opportunities to put points on the board.
The Gators continued to compete even when Fitzgerald threatened, keeping the game within reach all the way to the finish.
Gibson and Powell Find the End Zone
Offensively, Ware County showed its ability to score both on the ground and through the air.
De’Shavius Gibson powered his way into the end zone for a rushing touchdown, while quarterback Kieran Brown connected with Quinton Powell for another Gator touchdown through the air.
Those scoring plays kept Ware County right on the heels of the Purple Hurricane and gave the Gators an opportunity to battle for the victory late in the contest.
Two offensive fumbles, however, proved costly. Against a strong Fitzgerald team, the lost possessions made it difficult for Ware County to maintain momentum and ultimately played a significant role in the one-point final margin.
Plenty to Build On
While the scoreboard showed a 14-13 Fitzgerald victory, Thursday night's performance also provided plenty for the JV Gators to build upon.
Ware County demonstrated the ability to create turnovers defensively, generate explosive plays offensively, and continue battling through adversity. The next step will be cleaning up the mistakes, protecting the football, and turning those positive moments into a complete four-quarter performance.
For a JV program focused on preparing young players for the varsity level, games like Thursday's provide valuable experience. The Gators will take the lessons learned in Fitzgerald, return to work, and continue developing.
Gators Head to Camden Next
There will be another opportunity waiting next week as the JV Gators return to the road to take on Camden County.
Ware County will look to carry its defensive playmaking ability into the matchup while improving ball security and offensive consistency.
GO GATORS!