Blue Devils Kick Off Season At East Webster Jamboree
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MATHISTON – The 2023 Water Valley Blue Devils kicked off both the season and the Coach Clint Faust Era in Jamboree action on Friday, August 18, at East Webster High School in Mathiston. The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) allows two varsity quarters and a junior varsity quarter as a tune up the week before the official “week one” of the season.
The Blue Devils played the Biggersville Lions first, a team many media pundits have going to the state championship game in their classification. The Blue Devils came out victorious with a 14 to seven victory.
Water Valley received the opening kickoff and proceeded to utilize a ground attack led by the offensive line of Jack Woodard, Donalvin Wilson, Hayden Schurr, Ezaryon Riley, and Jake Griffin. The beneficiaries of their hard work were running backs Jaden Morgan and Zae Brafford as they each had runs over 10-yards in the opening drive. Morgan capped off the impressive drive with a two-yard plunge into the endzone for the score. The extra point was added by kicker Gabe Butler out of the hold of Tyler Richardson and the snap of Reid Burress.
Biggersville would answer after a long kickoff return set up a 22-yard rushing touchdown of their own, however the point-after-attempt failed. Water Valley would waste no time responding as well with another impressive drive capped off by another Morgan rushing touchdown, this time from 18-yards out. He would finish the frame with 91 yards rushing on 10 attempts and two touchdowns.
The self-proclaimed “Wrecking Crew” Defense would shutout the Lions for the remainder of the game, an effort led by linebackers Will Embry, Burress, and defensive back Morgan. They had two tackles each in the session. The highlight was an impressive interception by senior cornerback Taylen Johnson which ended a Lions’ scoring threat.
“I was extremely pleased with how physical we played tonight,” first-year Head Coach Clint Faust reported about the overall performance. “I feel like we saw a lot of positives to build upon. We have to get back to work and clean up some areas, but overall, I was pleased with our first time out.”
In the second game, the homestanding Wolverines, a Class 3A North favorite, would edge out the Blue Devils 13 to six aided by great field position all session long. They would take the opening kickoff back to the Blue Devils’ 41-yard line and would penetrate as far down as the two-yard line before Water Valley would hold strong and force a turnover on downs. The Blue Devils were paced in this frame by junior defensive tackle Donalvin Wilson with four total tackles, and two for losses.
After having to punt to the Wolverines, the Blue Devils were poised for yet another goal line stand, but on fourth down the home team was able to find an open receiver for a four-yard pass for six points and the PAT.
The Devils’ offense wasted little time responding as junior quarterback Tyler Richardson hit senior wideout Taylen Johnson for a 76-yard aerial strike touchdown. The Blue Devils elected to go for the two-point conversion, but it failed. East Webster added one more score and the Blue Devils would turn the ball over on downs on a last-ditch effort to tie or take the lead.
In junior varsity action, the Blue Devils defeated the Wolverines, six to nothing. The lone score came from an impressive 91-yard rush by freshman quarterback Trey Adams. Defensively, the Blue Devils were paced by freshman linebacker Miles Bufford with three total stops and one for loss.
“I thought we were very physical tonight, which is something I am very proud of,” first-year Offensive Coordinator Coach Rusty Smith said.
“I saw a lot of good things to build upon and a lot we must get cleaned up quickly,” returning Defensive Coordinator Coach Richard Russo added. “One thing for certain is our defensive kicking units must do a better job of getting our team better field position.”
The Blue Devils return to action as the MHSAA season officially kicks off for Week One at Independence High School on Friday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.
