Blue Devils Record Third Shutout
The Blue Devil defense including Marley Cook, Paris Adams, Darius Tolbert and Isaiah White swarm a Coahoma AHS player in Friday’s division game in Clarksdale. The Blue Devils won, 41-0. – Photo by Leslie Brooks
By Mack Gordon
Sports Reporter
CLARKSDALE – The Water Valley Blue Devils traveled to Clarksdale to take on the Coahoma AHS Tigers in a Region 2-3A matchup last week.
The Blue Devils started slow but exploded in the second quarter en route to a 41-0 shutout over the Tigers (4-5, 0-3 Region 2-3A). Water Valley improved to (8-1, 3-0 Region 2-3A) as the Blue Devils recorded their third shutout win this season.
Water Valley scored five touchdowns in the second quarter after going scoreless in the first quarter. Tay Rucker kicked the scoring off with a 28-yard touchdown run. Jacob Truss would find the endzone on the next Blue Devil possession, running it in from 22 yards out to put Water Valley up 14-0 with 9:29 left in the second quarter. The Blue Devils would strike three more times before the half, the last a nine-yard touchdown pass from Blayne Clark to Jacob Welch to extend the lead to 34-0 at the half.
Bud Tolbert would make a big impact on special teams in the win, scoring on two punt return touchdowns, one from 45 yards out in the second quarter, and the other from 62 yards to put the final nail in the coffin early in the third quarter.
Clark finished the game five of eight passing with 113 passing yards and one touchdown. Rucker finished with eight carries for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Tolbert finished with 3 catches for 97 yards and two punt return touchdowns.
The Water Valley defense had another dominant performance, holding Coahoma AHS to 99 yards of total offense. Javarius Benson led the Blue Devils with 12 tackles, Grant Burress and Isaiah White each added 10.
Water Valley will be back in action this Friday night, hosting the Independence Wildcats (4-5, 1-2, Region 2-3A). Independence is coached by former Water Valley defensive coordinator Richard Russo. Following Independence, Water Valley will finish the season with a trip to Sardis to face North Panola, potentially for the Region 2-3A Championship if both teams win this week.
