In a disappointing debut for the Mathews High School varsity football team, the Blue Devils dropped a close contest to the visiting Middlesex Chargers on Friday night, 30-20.

It was a game of missed opportunities for both teams, starting with the opening kickoff. After sophomore Marshall Barrack pulled down an onside kick by teammate senior P.J. Johnson, Mathews appeared poised to take an early lead. But despite driving the ball deep into Charger territory, a field goal attempt went wide left; one of two missed field goals in the game for Mathews.

Fumbles also hurt Mathews, like the one that came later in the first quarter. Trailing 8-0, the Devils got a strong return from senior Deondre Foster to midfield. However, soon after a miscue on the snap gave the Chargers possession of the ball.

Mathews picked up its first score with 2:33 in the first half, with senior running back Dayshon Williamson carrying it in from 20 yards out. Senior Austin Fravel bulled through the center of ...