The Ware County Gators split Thursday night’s sub-varsity football action against Lowndes on September 24, with the ninth-grade team making the trip to Lowndes County and the JV Gators hosting the Vikings at Memorial Stadium.
The ninth-grade Gators faced a difficult road test against Lowndes and came up short, falling 36-0. The young Gators will look to regroup quickly with another opportunity coming next week when they return home to The Swamp.
The night had a much different ending back in Waycross, where the JV Gators put together a strong all-around performance in a 28-6 victory over Lowndes.
Ware County found ways to make plays in every phase of the game. The offense struck through the air, the defense added points of its own, and the special teams unit was steady throughout the night.
Quarterback Ryder Gilbert connected with Brodie Burchett for one of Ware County’s touchdowns and later found Bryson Manson for another score. Kieran Brown also contributed to the passing attack, connecting with Angelo Mack for a touchdown as the Gators continued to add to their lead.
The Ware County defense joined the scoring when Jameer Barkley recovered a loose football and returned it for a touchdown. The scoop-and-score highlighted a strong defensive effort that kept the Vikings off the scoreboard for most of the night. Lowndes eventually broke through with a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but by that point the Gators had the game firmly in hand.
Hayes Sweat helped make sure Ware County finished its scoring opportunities, going a perfect 4-for-4 on extra points while also handling kickoff duties.
With contributions coming from throughout the lineup, the JV Gators walked away from Memorial Stadium with a convincing 28-6 win.
Up Next
The varsity Gators will take center stage Friday, September 25, when they travel to Statesboro for a Region 1-AAAAA matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Sub-varsity action resumes Thursday, October 1. The ninth-grade Gators will welcome Calvary Day to Memorial Stadium for a 5:00 p.m. kickoff, while the JV Gators travel to Glynn Academy to face the Red Terrors at 5:00 p.m.
The varsity Gators return to The Swamp on Friday, October 2, for a Region 1-AAAAA showdown against ARC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium, with Ware County also celebrating Homecoming 2026 that evening.
Tickets for Thursday’s ninth-grade home game will be $8, while tickets for Friday’s varsity home game will be $10. Tickets may be purchased online through GoFan or at the gate.
Fans who cannot make it to Memorial Stadium can follow available Ware County home broadcasts through the NFHS Network.
Gator Nation Game Day Reminders
Ware County’s Clear Bag Policy will be in effect at all Ware County athletic events and sites. Fans should make sure any bags brought into an athletic venue meet the requirements of the policy before arriving.
The Parental Supervision Policy will also be enforced at all Ware County athletic events and sites. Parents and guardians are asked to make sure school-age children remain appropriately supervised throughout the event.
Gator Nation is encouraged to come out, support our student-athletes and help create a great atmosphere as Ware County football heads into another busy week.
For more photos, please click the link below.
9/24/2026: Ware Football Vs. Lowndes Photos
Go Gators!