The Statesboro Blue Devils started the season with three-straight wins and were rolling right along. Since then, the Blue Devils have suffered back-to-back losses and are currently 3-2.

After last week’s 42-21 loss to Ware County coach Matt Dobson took the blame for the loss saying he and his coaching staff didn’t have the team prepared, something they have addressed to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

“I challenged everyone post-game and then again in our team meetings Monday morning to take accountability,” Dobson said. “We have all looked at our actions and are looking to see how we could be better. I feel like our coaching staff did that over the weekend and I think our players have done a good job with it this week. Hopefully everyone is looking at an area they can get better at this week.”

Dobson doesn’t want to deflect any blame, but does admit it is challenging to play two of the tougher teams in the state in back-to-back weeks.

“Certainly, it’s a tall task to play Benedictine and Ware County for two weeks in a row,” Dobson said. “Teams like that will magnify any mistakes you may have. They are going to find your weaknesses and expose them. Our job now is to try and look at those areas and see what we can do to improve so this doesn’t happen again.”

The Blue Devils were set to play Groves Friday but the game has been moved to Thursday night in Garden City. The Rebels come in 0-5 and have been outscored 222-6 in their last four games. Dobson knows his team understands what is in front of them but expects them to remain focused and to take care of business Thursday.

“Our message to our kids this week is to try and play to the standard we have been trying to set regardless of the opponent,” Dobson said. I don’t feel like we have played to our standard the last six quarters of football. We need to watch film and prepare in practice as we would with any other opponent.”

Statesboro and Groves are set for a 7:00 start Thursday in Garden City.