Junior quarterback Niko Smith threw three touchdown passes and No. 1 Ware County beat two-time defending champion Warner Robins 38-13 to win the Class 5A championship on Saturday at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium.

It was the first state championship for Ware County, which has finished second three other times.

Smith completed 16 of 26 passes for 256 yard and three scores – a 19-yarder to Jarvis Hayes, a 35-yarder to Brandon Washington, and a 39-yarder to Hayes.

Ware County (14-0) ran for 218 yards behind 132 yards from Reggie Boyd and 95 yards and two touchdowns from Dae’Jeaun Dennis, who scored twice. Hayes caught six passes for 171 yards and Washington caught six passes for 69 yards.

The Gators’ defense was led by Jamario Barkley with nine tackles and captain Trey Hargrove, who had eight tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack.

Warner Robins (10-5) got 195 yards pass from Isiah Canion, who completed 20 of 31 passes and one touchdown. Canion also caught an option pass for a touchdown from Cam Flowers.

The Demons’ running game was led by Malcolm Brown, who carried 19 times for 90 yards. Aamir Quick caught four passes for 73 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown. Dominick Faircloth had 11 tackles and Isaiah Gibson had seven tackles and one sack.

Click here to see copy of the official box score.