Lightning Delay Sparks Blue Devils

By Mack Gordon

Sports Reporter

WATER VALLEY – OXFORD – The Blue Devils picked up an impressive come-from-behind win over the South Pontotoc Cougars (8-4) in the first round of playoffs during a game that spanned two nights after a lightning delay stopped the action mid-way through the first quarter Friday night. The game was postponed until Saturday night and action resumed at Lafayette High School due to Bobby Clark Field being too wet and the Commodores having a turf field. 

This lightning delay might have just saved Water Valley’s season as the Blue Devils went home Friday night trailing 14-0 after only six minutes of action. When they came out on Saturday night they looked like a completely different squad with Kenterrious Rucker exploding for 270 rushing yards and a shocking five touchdowns, leading the team to an impressive 50-22 victory that didn’t look possible on Friday night. 

It was a special win for many reasons, scoring 50 unanswered points to advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs, but also it was Head Coach Brad Embry’s 79th career win at the helm of the program, making him the winningest coach in Blue Devils football history passing former Head Coach Gary Drewery.

Embry said notching the win was important, not only for this season but also for the program.

“That win will carry us a long way, not just this year but down the road,” the coach said. “I think it was a good sign for us getting back to where we need to be after a tough year last year,” he explained after his team only won two games during the 2016 season. 

Embry also said he has heard a lot of feedback about breaking the all-time win record, but he was quick to share the accolades.

“There are a lot of things that go into that,” Embry explained about his 79th win during the 10-year span. “A lot of good players, a lot of good assistant coaches, a lot of support from the school. And for 10 years we have had a great booster club that has really helped us out. Those things kind-of go unnoticed at times. Community support is what builds a booster club and that is a big part of being successful,” the coach explained. Citing an example, he said the booster club fed the team at the football field Thursday night, Friday night and again Saturday night after the rain delay.

Coming Out Swinging

South Pontotoc came out swinging early in the contest, scoring on the first play from scrimmage with a 61-yard hook and ladder touchdown. 

“It was deflating,” Embry said about that first play. “You have a big game and on the first play, the team tricks you on a hook and ladder play.”

South Pontotoc would strike again on their next possession with a 19-yard touchdown from Eddie Ivy to give the Cougars a 14-0 lead with 8:01 left in the first quarter. Two minutes later the first lightning strike would occur and the game was eventually called around 8:45 p.m. Play would resume at 7 p.m. Saturday night at William Buford Stadium at Lafayette High. 

Just like the night before the Cougars would strike first, giving them a 22-0 lead late in the first quarter as it appeared they were going to roll to a blowout victory over Water Valley.  However, Kenterrious Rucker and the Blue Devils weren’t ready for their season to end. Water Valley finally got on the board with 2:16 left in the first quarter as Rucker scored his first of five touchdowns on the night, with a two-yard run to make the score 22-6. 

Water Valley would strike again on their next possession with a 48-yard touchdown run by Martavius Rockett to make the score 22-13 with 7:59 left in the second quarter. The Blue Devil defense would play extremely well for the rest of the second quarter to keep the deficit at nine heading to halftime. 

Rucker would add two more touchdowns in the third quarter to give Water Valley a 28-22 lead heading into the fourth quarter. He wouldn’t stop there as he found the endzone two more times in the final quarter and Isaiah White scored on an interception return touchdown as the Blue Devils exploded to earn the 50-22 victory over South Pontotoc. The second half was the best Water Valley has looked all season offensively and defensively, outscoring South Pontotoc 37-0. 

“I have had a lot of spectators tell me this might have been one of their most favorite games,” Embry said about the win, adding that it will rank high on his list of favorites as a coach.

“I am fortunate to have been on a lot of good teams, both here and before I got here,” Embry said about his career as he recalled a win when the Blue Devils hosted Aberdeen and another year at Madison.

“When I was at Madison, we had one of the most talented teams in Mississippi history. We were 15-0 and won a state championship,” Embry said.

“But this game is up there as one of the best for a lot of reasons,” he added.

Friday Night

With the win the Blue Devils advance to the 2nd round of the MHSAA 3A Playoffs where they will travel to Yazoo City, to take on the undefeated Yazoo County Panthers (11-0). 

“They are very talented, their quarterback was selected for the Mississippi-Alabama All Star Game,” Embry noted. “But it is a great opportunity for us.”

The winner will play the winner of Houston/North Pontotoc in the third round.