ELBERTON, GA. — “ Play for and make the breaks, when one comes your way, SCORE!”.

Friday night, Elbert County heeded the words of legendary University of Tennessee coach General Robert Neyland, as the Blue Devils capitalized on turnovers and special teams opportunities and defeated Social Circle 24-9 at the Granite Bowl in Elberton.

The Blue Devils’ Austin Jones, lined up at blocking back in punt formation, took the direct snap from Ethan Forson and rambled 52 yards to paydirt midway through the 4th quarter for the final and decisive tally. The fleet Jones burst up the middle, aided by a crushing Fortson block, and cut to the right sideline and outraced the Redskins to the end zone.

The electrifying run was a huge momentum changer in the second half, as Social Circle had cut a 17-0 halftime deficit to eight points on a long touchdown run and a safety in the third stanza. Social Circle’s Chase Lackey sped 47 yards for the Redskins’ first score on a quarterback option keep on the team’s first possession of the 2nd half to cut the margin to 17-7. On the ensuing possession, Elbert County was penalized twice, and then was caught in the end zone for a safety to make it 17-9.

The Redskins marched back down the field on the free kick after the safety, only to cough up the pigskin inside the Blue Devil 10-yard line. Ben Yarbrough recovered for Elbert, and the Blue Devils marched 40 yards on eleven plays, chewing up valuable clock. On 4th down and 2 Jones scored on the fake punt.

Elbert County got the first break early in the game when an errant center snap on a punt set the Devils up at the Social Circle 29 on the change of possession. Five rushes later, the Blue Devils’ Ronnie Hughes ran for the touchdown from seven yards out to make it 6-0. The extra point attempt was wide.

The Redskins marched down the field and got it inside the Blue Devil 30 when Elbert County’s D.J. Lewis intercepted a pass to stifle the drive.

Midway through the second quarter, Social Circle once more turned the ball over to Elbert County on a bad pass from the center to the punter, and Elbert commenced to move the ball inside the Redskin 10, where the drive stalled. Elbert County’s Omar Vargas kicked a 25-yard field goal to up the margin to 9-0.

Late in the second, after a successful Social Circle punt, Jones ran 54 yards on the first play from scrimmage to the Redskin 13. Four plays later, Hughes bulled in from the 4 to make it 15-0. Hughes then converted the 2-point conversion on a run to make the halftime score 17-0.

The Redskins last drive in the final period was snuffed out when Elbert County recovered a fumble near midfield, and the Devils ran the clock out to preserve the win.

Elbert County overcame two costly penalties on 4th and long situations, both of which rewarded Social Circle with first downs.

Elbert County’s head coach Brent Miller was pleased with his team’s poise in the second half,” Our guys grew up this week, especially on the offensive line, they bowed their necks, didn’t panic, and played hard.”

Jones finished the contest with 113 yards on 6 carries, while Hughes lugged the leather 18 times for 83 hard-earned yards.

Lackey led Social Circle’s balanced wing-T attack with 48 yards rushing.

Elbert County (1-1) host Butler next week, Social Circle (1-1) entertains Washington-Wilkes.