Much like a hole that doesn’t quite suit a golfer’s eye, there’s something about making the trip to Springfield that rarely seems to agree with Statesboro.
    In each of Statesboro’s last two trips to play Effingham County, the Blue Devils have surged into town at the top of the region standings, only to limp back home with a loss. Tonight, the No. 5 Devils look to reverse that trend as they take on the Rebels.
    “We’re very aware of our history against Effingham,” said SHS coach Steve Pennington. “They are a very well coached, well prepared team and they always play us tough.”
    Giving Statesboro a hard time might be habit for the Rebels, but it will be a necessity tonight.
    Effingham County entered the season predicted by many to be the Devils’ top challenger in the northern sub-region of Region 2-AAAA. The Rebels looked as good as advertised in the season opener as they racked up 44 points in a win over Screven County, but have dropped their last four consecutive games, including last week’s disheartening setback to arch rival South Effingham in their first sub-region game.
    With only five sub-region games determining which three teams will have a chance at the state playoffs entering the final week of the season, Effingham will be under a lot of pressure to get things turned around and get back into the race.
    Statesboro will have some adjusting to do defensively tonight as the Devils face an offensive scheme for the first time this season.
    All of the Devils’ first five opponents ran some variation of the shotgun spread, but they are now tasked with stopping Effingham, which runs single-back and I-formations mostly from under center.
    “Our JV and scout team had actually gotten pretty good at running the spread,” joked Pennington. “Having gone against the same type of offense for so long, there are some new challenges. We haven’t seen a lot of this type of power game and misdirection since we were beating up on ourselves in the preseason.”
    With the change in pace, Pennington stressed the importance of Statesboro’s linebackers being able to pick up on keys to figure out where the Rebels are headed.
    “(Effingham) runs a lot of misdirection, and their running game sets up the play-action pass,” said Pennington. “It’s important that we make the right reads or we’ll find ourselves out of position and vulnerable to the big play.”
    As for the offense, the Devils are hoping to see the version that piled up four touchdowns in the second half of last week’s win over Lakeside — not the first half version, which was shut
out.
    For that to be the case, Statesboro’s blocking will have to be more consistent in order to counter adjustments that opponents are making against it on defense.
    “Part of what makes our offense work is balance,” said Pennington. “By running formations that are balanced, it’s tough for teams to spot trends or tendencies. That being said, there is five weeks worth of film out on us and we’ve seen teams start to line up the same way to stop us. That’s something we have to respond to.”
    Pulling out another win will boost the Devils to the only 2-0 record in sub-region play and put them in the driver’s seat as they strive to repeat as region champions.
    Of course, before Statesboro can climb the region mountain once again, it will have to go through its old rival in a stadium that hasn’t been hospitable.
    “Make no bones about it,” said Pennington. “Effingham is a team that has figured us out and taken it to us before. We know we’ll get their best shot, and we have to do the same.”

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