The Statesboro Blue Devils started the season 1-0 after an impressive 44-7 win on the road at Southeast Bulloch.

The Blue Devils proved to have a balanced offensive attack as Beckham Jarrad was 9-13 for 62 yards. The Blue Devils leaned heavy on the run, especially in the second half as they put up over 450-yards and scored all six touchdowns on the ground.

“I thought we really played physical up front on both sides of the ball,” Dobson said. “When the weren’t getting the ball, I felt like our receivers and tight ends did a great job blocking. Our quarterbacks combined for over 230 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns and I think all of our running backs showed what kind of depth we have as we had three guys with touchdowns.”

The Statesboro defense was a big question mark coming into the season as they lost a few key seniors to graduation. The Blue Devils defense was impressive Friday allowing only on score and a total of seven first downs and limited them to 19 total yards rushing on 22 attempts.

“I feel like aside from their 41-yard reverse for a touchdown, our guys just did their job on defense,” Dobson said. “Sometimes it can get boring if you continue to shut a team down. Our front line and linebackers were making plays but our secondary stayed alert and I think that is why you didn’t see the big plays hurt us.”

This week the Blue Devils go up against an always tough Burke County team who went 11-3 before losing in the state semifinals last year. The Bears opened the season with a 30-14 victory over Greenbrier. Burke County is led by another former Georgia Southern Eagle in Franklin Stephens and Dobson is expecting a battle Friday.

“I have coached against him before and if I had a word to describe his teams it would be physical,” Dobson said. “They are going to hit you hard and they are going to run the ball downhill. They are going to do the same things we are trying to do and it should be a physical game. They have thrown the ball a lot more in the past few years but they lost that quarterback. While they may not throw it, they have a lot of speed we have to be aware of.”

The Bears are led by senior running back Landen Wright who rushed for 550 yards and had over 200 yards receiving last year. Friday against Greenbrier Wright broke free for 178 yards and three scores against the Wolfpack.

“We know the key for a win Friday is establish the run on offense and to stop the run on defense,” Dobson said. They have some dynamic playmakers including Wright and their quarterback Ranquavious Morris who can both break free for big runs so we have to be ready.”

Statesboro and Burke County are set for a 7:30 kickoff Friday at Womack Field.