By: Colin Lacy

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Coming off a second-round appearance in the GHSA State Playoffs last season, Statesboro High has taken enormous steps forward each of past three years under Head Coach Matt Dobson and the Blue Devils’ staff.

2026 sets up to be more of the same with Statesboro looking to burst into a newly revamped region and make a deep run into the playoff field.

After a 2-2 start to the 2025 season last year, the Blue Devils went on a five-game winning streak with wins over Bradwell Institute, Lakeside, Brunswick, Evans and South Effingham.

Statesboro had hopes to win the region title up until the final week of the regular season last year with having to deal with a lot of adversity through the year.

A lot will be talked about with Beckham Jarrard (and rightfully so), but even when Jarrard missed multiple games with injury in the middle of the five-game win streak, the Blue Devils were able to continue to thrive.

Davis Harrison was able to take over and with contributions from Keon Childers, Gage Newsome, and other weapons.

While the roster continues to be littered with talent for Dobson, the main focus continues to be on Beckham Jarrard.

The now junior has had a busy offseason bouncing from some of the best college camps in the country and garnering well deserved attention from the top schools in the country just entering his junior campaign.

In two seasons for the Blue Devils, Jarrard has racked up over 2,800 passing yards, rushing for almost 700 more and scoring 28 combined touchdowns.

Jarrard is a phenomenal talent on the field, but to me what sets him apart as a next level talent is the mindset and dedication to, he has shown to the mental side of football.

We mentioned in a story from last season how Jarrard breaks down virtually every throw he makes (in a game and practice) on video with former NFL QB Coach Pat O’Hara.

While there are some questions that will be answered early in the season for “the Boro”, Matt Dobson and company believe that they have the answers to them.

Statesboro will have to find replacements for Keon Childers who was one of the best rushers and receivers in the region in the past few years along with Gage Newsome, the top receiver for the Blue Devils last year who both graduated after the 2025 season.

SHS will look to some returners to take a big step forward along with at least one transfer into the program.

Someone that has produced in a number of different roles for Statesboro already in his career but would be my pick to take a massive step for his senior year is Davis Harrison.

Harrison has worked as a receiver, quarterback (as we mentioned earlier), and now is listed on the roster as a tight end but is someone that is a leader in the squad that could really put up some big numbers this year.

The other player that I believe will have a massive year in his first year in a Blue Devil uniform is DJ Brooks.

Brooks transfers to Statesboro this year from cross-county rival Southeast Bulloch and looks to sure up the running back room for Statesboro with Keon Childers’ departure.

Brooks averaged over 6.0 yards per rush with a pair of touchdowns in limited action for Southeast Bulloch last year as a sophomore but is a physical player that can be a beautiful counter punch (and weapon for) to Jarrard.

Statesboro will try to improve on the 2^nd round appearance last year that saw the final record sit at 8-4 and will be a force to be reckoned with in a much tougher region after the GHSA realignment.