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Devils, Ware meet with region title on the line
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Statesboro wide receiver Diego Prince is one of 21 seniors who will look to keep their football careers alive tonight as SHS hosts Ware County at Womack Field. - photo by FILE
    For Statesboro it’s simple — win and you’re in. Lose and you could be going home.
    All that and more will be at stake tonight at Womack Field as SHS (7-2, 6-2) welcomes Ware County to Senior Night.
    “Week in and week out our guys have responded to the challenge,” said SHS coach Steve Pennington. “This just happens to be the biggest one yet. We expect them to rise to the occasion.”
    Ware comes in at 7-2 overall, 7-1 in Region 3-AAAA play and winners of five straight. The Gators have an explosive, speedy offense that puts at least 22 points on the board per game. An aggressive defense allows 11 points a contest.
    Victor Daniels plays all over the field and is the Gators’ No. 1 threat, while quarterback Dustin Cox is just as dangerous. Ware County can throw just as well as they can run it.
    “They can do it all,” said Pennington. “They’re good enough to where they do whatever they want to do.”
    The Gators have a strong, power running game and the ability to spread out the ball in the passing game. They execute play-action just as well.
    Defensively, Ware is just as aggressive as the Effingham County team SHS faced last week.
    In the end, tonight’s game will come down to offensive line play for both teams.
    “We have to do a good job because they’re real quick,” said senior center Kevin Groover. “They’re fast up front on the d-line. We just got to stay on our feet and just make our blocks and we’ll be fine.”
    Groover and 20 other seniors will be involved in what could be there final game at home. With a win, the Blue Devils could be region champs. A loss could push SHS out of the playoffs altogether. The Devils need a Brunswick win over Effingham County for the best case scenario, win or lose.
    Ware County won last year’s game 20-0 in Waycross.

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