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Devil seniors make Friday about revenge
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    For Statesboro’s 21 seniors, Friday night’s game is about one thing: revenge.
    The Blue Devils (7-2, 6-2) host Ware County at Womack Field Friday in a game that will decide the Region 3-AAAA title. The Gators  won last year’s contest 20-0 in Waycross.
    “They won last year — that was fluke,” said Statesboro’s leading tackler Weldon Watts. “This year it’s totally different. We haven’t really talked about (last year), we just know what we have to do.”
    Watts is part of a senior class that has been to two state title games and won one. The 17 that have been in the program for four years have lost a total of five games.
    “Because of their dedication it has kept our program in tact,” said SHS coach Steve Pennington. “Those who understand the concept of sports, know it’s a lot harder to stay on top than it is to get on top. These seniors have fulfilled the role of keeping our tradition and keeping our program moving forward.”
    Deangelo Tyson, who has been the face of SHS football this season with his early commitment to the University of Georgia and being ranked as one of the top defensive lineman in the country, isn’t quite ready to end his career at Womack.
    “I don’t think it’s going to be our last home game,” said Tyson. “But playing our last regular season home game should be pretty fun. The stands should be packed and there should be a lot of excitement out there on the field.”
    Kevin Groover has been a staple of the SHS offensive line, starting at center for the Devils’ powerful rushing attack.
    “It’s going to be an emotional game,” said Groover. “We have make it an emotional game for us to win. It’s a must win because if we don’t it’s possibly our last game at Womack Field.”
    Many of the seniors called their class a brotherhood, their friendships dating all the way back to elementary school.
    “This group of seniors will probably be one of the best that you’ll see,” said tight end Sherrod Natson. “We always play together and we know what to do, always have focus and we come to dominate.”
    After all the adrenaline and emotions settle down, the Devils will still need a flawless performance to knock off Ware.
    “I understand it’s Senior Night — but we still have a ball game that we have to play,” said running back Jacob Lockett. “We have to go out and try to do our best and go through the fundamentals and do what we’ve been taught, win this game and get into the playoffs.”

    Chad Bishop can be reached at (912) 489-9408.