By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Blue Devils fall in final seconds at Veterans, 29-22
SHS football
Statesboro quarterback Beckham Jarrard looks down field for a pass in the first half of the Blue Devils contest at Veterans - photo by JOSH AUBREY/staff

The Statesboro Blue Devils had a lead on the road at Veterans late in the game, but saw the Warhawks complete a 63-yard touchdown pass with just under 40 seconds to go as they lost a tough 29-22 contest on the road Friday in Houston County.

 A week after playing a mistake-free game in a victory against Southeast Bulloch the Blue Devils hurt themselves Friday in Kathleen as they had a pair of punts blocked and gave up a few big plays including the game winner.

“We just made too many mistakes to win a football game,” said Statesboro coach Matt Dobson. “I thought our kids played hard and fought but we just made too many mistakes. Any time you give up two blocked punts in a game and a couple explosive plays, while not really creating enough explosive plays, it’s going to be hard to win.”

Trailing 21-14 late in the game Statesboro put together a nice drive and scored on a two-yard run by Rashad Chavers out of the Wildcat formation with just over a minute to play. Dobson elected to go for a two-point conversion and Beckham Jarrard connected with Gage Newsome which put the Blue Devils up 22-21 with 1:02 to play.

A week after going almost exclusively on the ground Statesboro went back to the air as Jarrard completed 18-31 passes for 213 yards. Newsome had a big night with 10 receptions for 93 yards. He also rushed for 59 yards. Childers led the ground attack with 71 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns.

The Warhawks started the scoring on a 58-yard touchdown run by quarterback Trey Bird. Statesboro answered with a seven-yard Childers touchdown tying the game at 7-7. After blocking a Statesboro punt Veterans took a 13-7 lead on another Bird touchdown. Statesboro answered with an 11-yard Childers touchdown run before the half for a 14-13 lead.

“We have some things to clean up and I’m glad we have an extra week to prepare for region play,” Dobson said. “We played hard and did some good things to build on but we have some work to do before hosting Greenbrier.”

 Next up for Statesboro they will host Greenbrier Aug. 29 at 7:30 at Womack Field.