Blue Devils Will Compete For Region Title
Junior receiver Bud Tolbert makes a nice one-handed catch in Friday’s division game against Independence. Tolbert led his team in receiving with three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. – Photos by Leslie Brooks
By Mack Gordon
Sports Reporter
The Water Valley Blue Devils went on the road to take on the Independence Wildcats (4-5, 1-3 Region 2-3A) in a Region 2-3A matchup. Like they have all season, the Blue Devils (7-3, 4-0 Region 2-3A) earned yet another division rout with a 64-28 victory over the Wildcats.
With Blue Devils quarterback Ty Varner leaving the contest early with an injury, Blayne Clark took over the signal calling duties. Clark led the Blue Devils with 204 yards, passing with three touchdowns through the air and also punching in two rushing touchdowns for a total of five on the night.
Bud Tolbert led Water Valley in receiving with three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Martavius Rockett finished with 200 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Jacob Truss also had an increased offensive role, finishing with 52 yards rushing on eight carries and a touchdown.
The Blue Devils jumped out to an early lead and didn’t look back, carrying a 37-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. They would continue rolling in the second half striking for four more touchdowns and only giving up 3 on defense en route to the impressive 64-28 victory.
The win clinched a playoff berth for Water Valley and improved their winning streak to a season high 4 games.
The big win also sets up one of the biggest games in recent Water Valley football history as the North Panola Cougars (9-0, 4-0 Region 2-3A) come to town with the Region Title and a 1 seed in the MHSAA 3A Playoffs on the line. Both teams rolled through region play easily, as Water Valley had an average margin of victory of 36 and North Panola won by a margin of 48 points per game.
The Cougars are led by Quarterback K.J Jefferson who has 2,026 yards passing and 808 yards rushing along with 37 touchdowns on the season.
The matchup will take place on Friday night at Bobby Clark Field.
