By: Josh Aubrey

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Anyone that had been to a Statesboro game over the past four years was probably thinking the same thing late in Friday’s season opener against Greenbrier, here we go again.

But unlike the past four years, The Blue Devils were able to make a big play at the end of the game, winning by a score of 7-3.

The Statesboro offense was unable to pick up a first down with just over two minutes left in the game, leading 7-3. Greenbrier ran a sweep on the first play from scrimmage and it went for 20 yards to the Wolfpack 40-yard line.

With 1:27 left in the game Xavier Lee picked off a Jackson Fulmer pass at the Statesboro 45 and returned it 8 yards. Greenbrier was out of timeouts and Statesboro was able to run out the clock for their first season opening victory since 2013.

“I can’t lie, it crossed my mind they ‘here we go again’,” said Statesboro head coach Jeff Kaiser. “But I’m very proud of our kids for showing some resilience, and making a big play when they had to. We had Xavier in a good spot and he made the interception to seal the deal.”

The story of the game was the Statesboro defense who allowed the Wolfpack only 104 total yards and 7 first downs, while coming up with a crucial 4 turnovers.

“Two players who really made a difference tonight for us were Ames Rackleff and Michael Dixon.” Kaiser said. “Ames is just a tenth grader, but he plays hard at everything he does, baseball, football or life. He is going to give you all he has. Michael is the same way, and they both stepped up tonight.”

In the second quarter the offense was finally able to take advantage of a Blue Devil turnover. Ames Rackleff picked off a Fulmer pass at the 37-yard line with 2:21 seconds left in the second quarter.

The offense was able to march downfield but had to convert on a fourth and six in order to keep the drive alive. Jaylen Robinson took the ball off the left side and pounded ahead for 8 of his 101 yards rushing to the Greenbrier nine-yard line.

On the very next play from scrimmage with 1:15 left quarterback Drake Horton walked into the end zone untouched, the extra point by Cody Parker was good and Statesboro took a 7-0 halftime lead.

“That touchdown before the half was huge,” Kaiser said. “When you win the battle of the turnovers by two like we did you should win the game and that touchdown came as a direct result of a forced turnover.”

Statesboro took a 7-0 lead into the fourth quarter.

Early in the fourth, Statesboro coughed the ball up again and Greenbrier recovered on the Statesboro 35-yard line. Fulmer then hit Jaden Smith for an 18 pick up to the Statesboro 18-yard line.

The Blue Devil defense was able to hold from there and Greenbrier had to settle for a 29-yard Ben Thorpe field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 with 6:08 left in the game.

Lee was able to secure with the win with the Blue Devils third interception of the game and the celebration began with the players mobbing Lee on the sidelines.

“I’m proud of these kids for learning from the past and being able to make plays when they had to,” Kaiser said. We are going to celebrate this tonight, but tomorrow it’s time to get ready for a good Liberty County team.”

Next up for Statesboro, they will host Liberty County Friday at Womack Field.