Blue Devils Control Two Quarter Scrimmage
Blue Devil senior Kirkland Horton (above) shared snaps with sophomore Ty Varner during the scrimmage against Nettleton. – Photo by Leslie Brooks
Mack Gordon – Leslie Brooks
By Mack Gordon
Sports Reporter
OXFORD – The Blue Devils opened up the 2015 campaign with a 12-0 shutout over 3A competitor, the Nettleton Tigers, during a two-quarter scrimmage game played at Oxford High School. Senior quarterback Kirkland Horton and sophomore quarterback Ty Varner shared snaps in the contest. Horton completed six out of nine passes for 78 yards, including a touchdown pass. Varner completed four out of 11 passes for 98 yards, including a touchdown pass and an interception.
“We played fast and physical, that is exactly what we wanted to see in the scrimmage,” Coach Brad Embry reported about his team’s effort. The Blue Devils defense was equally impressive as Nettleton recorded 42 snaps on the night with only six in Blue Devil territory.
The Blue Devils came out of the gate strong, driving 11 yards and 31 yards in opening action, but the drive stalled and they turned it over after failing to convert on fourth down.
Nettleton’s first possession resulted in a punt after the Blue Devils’ defense forced a three and out. The Blue Devils second drive resulted in a three and out after a couple of incomplete passes as the teams traded ball possession. Nettleton’s second drive was a repeat of their first with the Blue Devils’ defense forcing another three and out, giving the ball back to their offense.
The Blue Devils ended the stalemate on their next drive, scoring on a 69-yard touchdown drive with Horton going three-for-three on the drive capped off by an impressive 37-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Jacob Welch. The extra point was no good and the Blue Devils led 6-0 midway through the first quarter.
Nettleton jumped into Blue Devil territory on their next possession with a pair of 20-yard pass completions. However, the Blue Devil defense would bend but not break, forcing a turnover on downs at their own 36-yard line.
On the Blue Devils’ next possession, quarterback Varner completed passes for 11 yards and 30 yards to put the Blue Devils inside the Tiger 20-yard line. After a couple of runs from junior back Julian Williams, the Blue Devils were facing third and goal at the six-yard line as the second quarter began. The Tigers intercepted the pass on the critical third down play to stop the Blue Devils from extending their lead.
The teams traded punts on the next two possessions in the second quarter, but the Blue Devils were able to to find the end zone again in a two-play, 58-yard drive when Varner connected with senior receiver Mark Gooch for six points. After a mishandled snap on the extra point the Blue Devils lead remained 12-0. The Water Valley defense stopped Nettleton on their next three drives in the game and play ended as the Blue Devil offense ran the clock out to complete the shutout.
Regular season play gets underway Friday night when the Blue Devils host the Eupora Eagles at 7 p.m. The Blue Devils will be looking to extend their five-game, season-opener win streak.
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Gordon, Brooks Cover Gridiron Action
Water Valley senior Mack Gordon is reporting Blue Devil action for the North Mississippi Herald. Gordon also serves as the Blue Devil football team’s statistician and plays baseball. He is a member of the BETA Club, FCA and Bible Study and plans to major in broadcast journalism at Ole Miss next year.
Gordon is the son of Glenda Gordon and Tommy Gordon of Brandon. He is the grandson of Donald and Brenda Henderson and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gordon of Cruger..
Leslie Brooks is working as the sports photographer for the Herald. She is employed with Yalobusha Health Services and has two daughters in the Water Valley School District, fourth grader Evey Brooks and freshman Sara Catherine Brooks. Leslie Brooks also takes freelance pictures when not working at her day job.
