The Mathews High School varsity football team let a 10-0 halftime lead slip away, as the Devils lost Friday night’s season opener to the visiting Middlesex Chargers, 27-23.

The Chargers’ potent rushing attack of J.D. Diggs and Ryheem Lockley eventually wore down the Blue Devils. The duo scored three rushing touchdowns, while Andre Campbell made a 55-yard TD reception to account for the visitors’ second-half scores. Lockley and Diggs also had touchdowns called back because of penalties.

Mathews, meanwhile, was led by juniors Deondre Foster and Dayshon Williamson. Foster, a wide receiver, had touchdown receptions of 27 and 46 yards, while Williamson provided much of the Devils’ ground game, including a 40-yard touchdown run.

Mathews was also aided by the placekicking of junior Glenn Musgrove, who nailed a 48-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

The Devils got off to a rocky start. After failing to get a first down on the team’s opening pos...