The Statesboro Blue Devils have had many heartbreaking losses throughout the past two seasons, but Friday’s had to feel like their hearts were ripped out as the Devils erased a 27-7 halftime deficit with 28 unanswered points, only to see the Phoenix of New Hampstead rise up to win 39-35 with the go-ahead touchdown in the final 10 seconds of play.
“It’s the same old story as some of our other losses,” said Statesboro High coach Jeff Kaiser. “I was disappointed in our effort in the first half from a playing standpoint and a coaching standpoint.  If we would have matched the effort we had in the second half in the first half this could have been a different ballgame.”
The Blue Devils trailed 27-7 at the half, but scored 28 straight points with the offense being sparked by running back Drayton Marsh who had 131 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Marsh saw the increased action while subbing for leading rusher Stacy Fleming, who went out with a knee injury late in the first quarter.
“Like we tell our kids, it’s next man up,” Kaiser said. “It took some of those guys a little bit to realize and get ready.  We had some mental busts in the second quarter but came out with a great effort in the third.”
The third quarter was all Statesboro.  Marsh started the scoring with a 60 yard touchdown. The defense then stepped up as Jonathan Littles came up with a fumble recovery which led to 27-yard Tupac Lanier touchdown run to cut the lead to 27-21.
The comeback continued with a 14 yard Lanier run, followed by a Clayton Snyder interception and 5-yard Lanier touchdown rush which gave the Blue Devils a 35-27 lead.
The turning point may have come on the ensuing kickoff as the Blue Devils attempted an on-side kick which the Phoenix recovered at midfield.  Statesboro was outscored 12-0 the rest of the game.
“We were trying a pooch kick over their heads and we didn’t quite get enough on the kick,” said Kaiser, “It’s about risks, and that was a bit of a risk but you want your kids to be confident and take a risk every now and then to get yourself in a position to win.”
The game started off with Statesboro marching downfield and scoring on a two yard Tupac Lanier with 4:14 left in the first. 
From there it was all New Hampstead, with quarterback Jalen DeLaFuente killing the Devils on the ground and through the air. DeLaFuente ran for a 78 yard touchdown, and a two point conversion made it 14-7. He then ran a five-yard touchdown to give New Hampstead a 21-7 lead. Just before the half, DeLaFuente heaved a 45 yard touchdown bomb to make it 27-7 New Hampstead at the break.
Kaiser said his halftime speech was a firm statement directed at the Blue Devil starters.
“We’ve got some older guys who won a couple of games and felt like maybe we had arrived. The message was give 100 percent or be replaced.  We have a junior varsity team that is undefeated and who would play their tail off if given the chance. It takes no talent to give 100 percent.”
New Hampstead’s game-winning drive began on their own 1-yard line as the Devils came inches away from a safety, which could have put the game away. Instead, DeLaFuente converted a third and long pass from his own end zone for a 23 yard pick up.  Capping the drive was DeLaFuente who scored from six yards out with 10 seconds left in the game.
Next up for Statesboro it’s another region showdown as they host 1-4 Ware County Oct. 13 at Womack Field.