Veterans football faces physical test as Statesboro comes to Freedom Field

The Veterans Warhawks enter Week 2 still looking for their first win of the 2025 season and they’re running into a hungry Statesboro team with dangerous weapons on both sides of the ball.

The Blue Devils were inexperienced last year and started poorly, missing the postseason because of it. According to a story by discoveringbulloch.com, coach Matt Dobson wants to avoid that.

Three things to watch:

New face (kinda)

Last year the ‘Hawks held Statesboro to nine points through three quarters. After scoring 10 points in the third they had a 10-9 advantage heading into the final period, but the defense let up 12 points on two big rushing touchdowns.

Both teams return a lot of players from last year’s matchup, but there’s a new face Veterans will get familiar with on the ground.

Keon Childers got some carries last year but not against the ‘Hawks with two senior running backs and a dual threat quarterback. He played a lot at receiver with 33 receptions for 478 yards and 5 touchdowns, and he’s got some get up and go to him.

He was moved to running back in the spring and busted onto the scene in a big way in the Blue Devils’ opener against Southeast Bulloch with 141 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.

He explodes off of the line out wide and will leave defensive backs in the dust in the blink of an eye. That could spell trouble for a Veterans defense that hasn’t always guarded well in space.

Running the ball he’s more physical than you’d expect, too, but the ‘Hawks’ linebackers thrive in a downhill environment.

He scored the Blue Devils’ only passing touchdown against Veterans last year and took 4 receptions for 70 yards. Statesboro didn’t pass the ball much in Week 1 (five times), so time will tell what strategy they come to Freedom Field with.

Returning experience on defense

The Blue Devils’ return a lot of experience on defense including All-Region 1st Team selectee in Xavier Spells.

Spells led the team with 11 tackles for a loss in 2024 to go with 66 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

He doesn’t offer much as a bull rusher, but he’s quick to disengage a block and catch a runner as they come through the lane, and he has good reach on his tackles. His speed isn’t exceptional, either, but he still gets by some tackles pretty comfortably.

It will be a big test for Veterans’ offensive line.

Rashad Chavers holds down the linebacker corps coming off of an All-Region 2nd Team selection. He finished last season with 71 tackles and 9 TFLs.

His tape shows some serious strength; He tosses around blockers and hits like a truck when he tackles, often stopping runners in their tracks completely.

He primarily plays inside linebacker but will occasionally step outside to rush the quarterback. Although, his speed isn’t his best trait, and there is time for quarterbacks to evacuate the pocket.

There are other returners, too, of the defense that held Veterans to 10 points last year.

Can the ‘Hawks limit the big plays?

On paper last week’s 34-12 loss to Jones County looks like a blowout with no competition, but if Veterans limited the Greyhounds’ big plays it would have been a completely different game.

The first half saw an 80-yard touchdown run and pick six for Jones County — that’s two touchdowns and 160 yards on two plays.

Otherwise the defense played fairly well and even forced two turnovers in the first half to go with a safety.

The offense will have to pick up some slack this week for the ‘Hawks to have a chance to win, but if the defense can limit those big plays the odds get that much better for a Veterans victory.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Freedom Field.