Water Valley Vs Independence
PHOTO OF THE WEEK – Last Friday’s game against the North Panola Cougars was a battle, with both teams putting points on the board in the important division game. Water Valley defenders Taghee James and Mark Gooch combine for a a big lick in the contest. – Photo by Claudia Anthony
RECORDS: 5-4(2-1) Independence 4-5 (1-2)
SERIES: WV leads 22-14-1
FIRST MEETING: 1968 Independence won 19-7
LAST MEETING: 2013 WV won 60-20
LAST WEEK: WV beat North Panola 38-30, Independence lost to Holly Springs in OT 21-14.
TV: Cable Channel 97 (Delay) starting 11 am Saturday thru Sunday
RADIO: WTMN 105.5 mhz. 7 p.m.
TEAM COMPARISONS: WV averages 29.8 on offense, and gives up 32.1 on defense. Independence averages 15.6 on offense and gives up 18.8 on defense.
NOTABLES: Coach Brad Embry picks up win number 60, making him only the fourth Blue Devil head coach to win 60 or more games. He joins Bobby Clark, Terry Allen and Gary Drewery. The Wildcats are coached by former WV Defensive Coordinator Richard Russo (2008-12). WV is 17-3 against Independence since 1987. The Devils & Wildcats are former members of the Tri-Lake Conference, Division 2 A, 2-3A, and 3-3A. The Wildcats last wining season was in 2005.
PLAYOFF WATCH: A Devil win over Independence and a Charleston victory over North Panola will give Water Valley a second place finish in Region 2-3A. The Blue Devils would play the third placed team from Region 4-3A. The second place finish would give the Devils home field advantage in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. Possible teams that WV would play in the first round are Aberdeen, Louisville or Kemper County.
DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy 315 north to Hwy 6, Exit west and go 8 miles, then merge onto I-55 north, travel 22 miles to Senatobia (Exit 265), and turn right onto Hwy 4 east. Drive 8 miles to Hwy 305, turn left and go 6 miles. School and stadium will be on right.
