Offensive Explosion Not Enough To Overcome Vikings
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Isaiah Webb (right) runs into trouble as Ty Prichard comes in to help.
ECRU – On Friday, September 1, the Water Valley Blue Devils traveled to Ecru to take on the North Pontotoc High School Vikings from Class 4A. The Vikings outlasted the Blue Devils in a 55 to 33 shootout that saw plenty of Offensive fireworks.
Leading the effort for the night was the Blue Devil offensive line of Dez Campbell, Donalvin Wilson, Hayden Schurr, Ezaryon Riley, Jake Griffin, Will Embry and Reid Burress. They paved the way for two 100-yard rushers as senior Jaden Morgan had 16 rushes for 166 yards and four touchdowns, and sophomore Zae Bradford had 18 rushes for 101 yards and one touchdown.
Junior quarterback Tyler Richardson had his best outing thus far as a starter completing 10 passes on 19 attempts and connecting with seven different Blue Devil receivers.
Down 15 points at the half, the Blue Devils illustrated their patented never quit attitude and pulled within one score thanks to the opening drive of the second half capped off with a 22-yard Morgan rushing touchdown. Sophomore Gabe Butler would add the Point After Touchdown to pull within eight. However, the Vikings’ offense proved to have many weapons and quickly responded with a 60-yard reverse trick play for the go-ahead score.
Defensively, the Blue Devils were paced by sophomore linebacker J.D. Gooch with 12 total tackles, three for loss, and one-half sack; along with junior linebacker Reid Burress with nine total tackles, one for loss, and one-half sack.
In the post game huddle, first-year Head Coach Clint Faust told the Blue Devils, “This is not the result that we wanted. I believe in this team, I believe in you, I believe in these coaches. We made tremendous improvements from week one to week two, now we must continue to work toward improving enough to earn a victory.”
The Blue Devils (0-2) continue their season on the road with a Friday, September 9 contest at Class 1A favorite Baldwyn Bearcats. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. in Baldwyn.
Jaden Morgan points the downed points to the downed pylon after his run was marked just short of a touchdown as his teammate signals a score. The Blue Devils scored on the next play.
