The Statesboro Blue Devils put up a fight, but it wouldn’t be enough, as they were knocked out of the state CLass AAAAA playoffs, losing to Union Grove on the road by a score of 2-1.

The Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Statesboro fought back in the second half. Caleb Dowden scored on a header off a corner kick to cut the lead in half, but solid play in goal by Georgia Southern signee Eric Nunez proved to be too much as the season ended for the Blue Devils.

“We played tremendously well,” said Statesboro coach David Ball. “It didn’t help playing on their turf, but we still held our own. We made one or two mistakes, and had trouble finishing on our opportunities. That’s what ultimately did us in.”

“We were all over them in the second half, but just weren’t able to connect on our shots, “Ball said. “Georgia Southern is getting a good one in their keeper. All in all we fought hard and played well. I’m proud of this team.