Most of the offensive success for the Statesboro Blue Devil football team has come on the ground. Friday in Guyton Blue Devil quarterback Beckham Jarrard set a school record with five passing touchdowns in the first half alone. Statesboro jumped out to a 34-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 41-7 victory over South Effingham to improve to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in region play keeping their state playoff hopes alive.

“We talked about starting fast and we did that tonight,” said coach Matt Dobson. “We scored on the opening possession, created a turnover and scored again. I’m proud of our guys for playing up to our standard and no matter the opponent, doing what we needed to do.”

Jarrad completed 15 of 27 passes for 230 yards and five touchdowns in the game. Only a freshman, Jarrad has already thrown for over the 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns with two games still left to go in the season.

“Beckham had a great game and our receivers did a great job,” Dobson said. “We had some good matchups on the perimeter and had guys get open make plays with the ball in their hands after the catch as well.”

Statesboro opened up the game with Jarrad connecting with Davis Harrison on a 54-yard touchdown for a 6-0 lead. Jaden Cope picked off a J.T. Barkley pass on the Mustangs first possession and returned it to the South Effingham 20-yard line.

Jarrard then found Keon Childers with a screen pass and Childers broke a couple tackles for a 20-yard touchdown and a 13-0 Blue Devil lead.

On their next possession the Keyonne Johnson came through with an interception and returned it to the Statesboro 41-yard line. Early in the second quarter the Blue Devils found paydirt again as Jarrard hooked up with Tony Nesmith in the end zone for a 10-yard score and a 20-0 lead.

On their next series South Effingham tried a fake punt from their own 20-yard line. The pass from punter Donato Urbino was picked off at the Mustang 45-yard line by the Blue Devils Ja’Kori Cope. Statesboro scored a few plays later as Jarrard threw a screen pass to Josh Brockett who went 21-yards untouched to give Statesboro a 27-0 lead.

Just before the half Statesboro added another score. The Blue Devils managed to get a first down with just over three seconds remaining. Jarrard was able to hustle up to the line and found Keon Childers all alone in the end zone for a 34-0 halftime lead.

With a running clock in the second half Statesboro only managed a two-yard Chop Heath touchdown run in the third quarter. South Effingham prevented a shutout by scoring a two-yard touchdown by Kadin Ward in the fourth quarter.

With two games remaining Dobson knows the Blue Devils have to win out for a chance at the postseason.

“We definitely needed to build a little momentum tonight,” Dobson said. “We have two more games left against a couple of really good teams. We have to get back to work and get ready for next Friday.”

Next up Statesboro travels to Effingham County Friday for a 7:30 start.