For the second consecutive week, it was a fourth quarter interception that was the main factor in a Statesboro victory.
    Leading in the final quarter, but with the offense sputtering, Haydon Rollins hauled in a deflected pass and returned it within five yards of a touchdown. One play later, Statesboro found the end zone for the final tally in a 21-7 win over Tattnall County Friday night at Womack field.
    Outgained for the third time in as many games, held to a season low 175 yards of offense, and committing a season high eight penalties, things could have easily gone differently for the Blue Devils (3-0, No. 2 Class-AAAA).
    “Wins are tough to come by, and we’ll take every one that we can get,” said SHS coach Steve Pennington. “Tattnall County is a very tough team and gave us a lot of problems, but we were able to do enough to get the win.”
    Things started ominously for Statesboro in the first quarter as running back Michael Summers ripped off a 13 yard run, only to cough up the ball on the way to the ground — the Devils’ first fumble in 100 carries this season.
    The Statesboro defense held and, given another opportunity, Summers quickly redeemed himself with a 44 yard touchdown run on his next carry.
    “Bad things are going to happen,” said Summers of the fumble. “You just do your best to put it behind you and keep going. I was glad to be able to get that touchdown after, but it wasn’t for me as much as it was for the team.”
    Alan Rodriquez nailed the extra point to make it a 7-0 lead, but Brandon Purcell and the Tattnall County (1-2) offense fired right back.
    Utilizing the shotgun spread attack that has given the Devils problems, Purcell (15-for-32, 170 yards, TD) was deadly efficient in the first half. He led the Battle Creek Warriors on a 16-play scoring drive that spanned 9:07 of game time and was capped with a 2-yard pass to Chaz Kicklighter (nine catches, 99 yards).
    Statesboro was able to regain the lead before halftime as senior Willie Johnson scored the first of his two rushing touchdowns on a 3-yard plunge.
    In the final minutes of the second quarter, Purcell again drove the Warriors deep into Devil territory, but Statesboro was able to hold, forcing a turnover on downs and taking a 14-7 advantage into the locker room.
    In the second half, the Devils’ defense stiffened, but the offense couldn’t take advantage.
    Twice, Tattnall County botched the snap on a punt attempt — awarding Statesboro great field position — but the first miscue led to a three-and-out by the Devils and the second with a missed 42-yard field goal from Rodriquez.
    Statesboro finally broke through early in the fourth quarter after Rollins’ interception. Johnson scored from five yards out on the ensuing play to give the Devils a cushion.
    “It’s nice to have experience players on the defensive side of the ball,” said Pennington. “They seem to know how to turn in up in big situations and make those big plays.”
    Statesboro had opportunities to extend the lead, but two touchdowns were negated by penalties in the final five minutes of play.

    Mike Anthony can be reached at (912) 489-9404.