The Statesboro Blue Devils are currently 6-3 on the season and wrapped up a spot in the state playoffs with a 31-21 victory last Friday on the road at Jenkins.

The Blue Devils have had to come back from being down double-digits in each of their last two games. Two weeks ago, they won in the final second against Evans and last week, they leaned on their defense, holding Jenkins to -13 yards and no first downs in the second half.

“We have to try and get off to a faster start and never let off the gas,” said coach Matt Dobson. “It’s a testament to our guys though and the resiliency in our locker room to just never give up. Our guys really trust our plans and I think they have confidence.

"I think the biggest difference from when we first got here to now is our guys expect to go win these football games. Defensively we have been making adjustments and our guys are being really coachable. Offensively we have a big offensive line and a big powerful running back so we are wearing people down a little bit and some of those plays that aren’t hitting in the first half are working more as the other defense gets tired.”

This week, the Blue Devils wrap up the regular season against Wayne County in what will probably be the final game at Womack Field for this year’s seniors.

“We just told those guys to make sure they enjoy Friday night,” Dobson said. “This time of year, everybody’s tired, everybody’s fatigued mentally and emotionally especially when you think about our last two weeks with the emotional roller coaster of the games.

"I just told our guys this morning especially our seniors to take some time to enjoy it all. In pregame warm-ups and when we run out onto the field, enjoy the sound of the crowd. High school football is a special time and everybody who has played can think back to games and moments and memories. I just want our guys to make sure that they soak it all in and don’t let it pass you by on Friday night.”

Wayne County has struggled this year at 2-7 and it may be easy for the Blue Devils to overlook the Yellow Jackets, but Dobson believes his team will come out and take care of business and try to enter the state playoffs with some momentum.

“They have some really good athletes and they have the size they just haven’t put it all together,” Dobson said. “I told our guys you know we have to be prepared because they have a couple guys who can go 80 yards for a touchdown so we have to be fundamentally sound.

"I think that’s the biggest thing is we need to be physical and just make we are living up to our standard leading up the playoff football.”

Statesboro and Wayne County are set to kick off Friday at 7:30 at Womack Field.