The Statesboro Blue Devils suffered their first loss of the season, as they fell to West Laurens 21-7 last Friday at Womack Field. The game was a lot closer than the final score indicated, as things were tied until the Raiders scored with under two minutes to go in the third quarter. The Blue Devils looked like they responded early in the fourth, but a potential tying touchdown was ruled down inches from the goal line, and Statesboro was unable to convert on fourth down.

“There’s an old saying that you can’t get too high on the highs, and can’t get too low after a low,” said Statesboro coach Jeff Kaiser. “Defensively they once again kept us in the game, offensively we got hit in the teeth. We knew it would be a challenge because of their defensive front. We were forced to toss the ball around more than we like, we thought we had a touchdown, but we didn’t get a call, and that’s the way the ball bounces some times.”

This week the Blue Devils tough schedule continues as they travel to Waynesboro to take on the Burke County Bears. The Bears are currently 4-1 on the season with the lone loss coming in a 23-10 game against Ware County. The Bears are averaging over 34 points per game, and their most recent game was a 49-34 win over Effingham County last Friday.

“They are big up front on both sides of the ball,” Kaiser said. “They have a lot of speed all over the field, and are extremely athletic. Coach Eric Parker always does a great job with those kids. They are deep with speed, and they play a lot of kids. It will be a challenge, as it always is, but I feel like our kids are up for the challenge.”