WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Washington County Golden Hawks were once the team to beat.
Fast forward to 2024, and they haven't won a state title since 1997.
Robert Edwards was part of the dominant group that won the first state championship 30 years ago in 1994. Now he's back home trying to bring a winning culture back to Sandersville, and his players see it.
"Coach Edwards is very passionate about the game," said junior lineman Javyn Brooks.
"I want to win," Edwards said. "If anybody knows me, I'm a very big competitor. I compete at everything I do."
The Washington County community knows his name.
- Robert Edwards:
- Golden Hawks superstar
- Georgia Bulldog
- NFL first round pick
- Washington County head coach
Brooks said it's a benefit to have a coach with all that experience.
"He can teach us everything," Brooks said. "He can lead us on in life. He's always someone we can come back to if we need any help when we graduate high school."
Edwards is in his third season as top Golden Hawk. After making his homecoming three years ago as head coach, Edwards said one of the biggest challenges was all of those expectations.
"It takes time to get the program where I want it and I think we're heading in the right direction," he said. "You know we made the playoffs every year, and this year we got another opportunity to continue to play well."
Washington County is coming off a pair of wins against Bleckley County and Central, giving the team a new sense of confidence.
"I think this team is finally going in the right direction now," said junior quarterback Mack May. "Finally finding our identity and going in the direction we need to be going."
When you sit at the top of the roster, Edwards said the role becomes bigger than Friday nights.
"You have to kind of monitor not only players but their attitudes, personalities," Edwards said. "Not only the players, but the coaches, the community. There's a lot more go into behind the scenes - not just calling plays on Friday night."
While the Golden Hawks prepare to keep fighting in the second half of the season, Coach Edwards wants to focus on winning no matter what it looks like.
"I want to win but I also want to make sure the kids win at the end of the day, and winning don't always equate to the W's and L's on the record."
The Golden Hawks have a saying - "Everybody give me 9%."
With 11 players on the field, you get 99% and Edwards said that extra 1% comes from playing as a team.