Blue Devils Win First Division Game Of Faust Era
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Blue Devil coach Clint Faust reminded his players that they are 1-0 in division play after defeating MS Palmer. The Blue Devils will play three division games including a tough game against Calhoun City at home Friday night.
WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley Blue Devils hosted fellow Region 2-2A foe, the M.S. Palmer Dragons to open up Region Play during Fall Break 2023 on October 12.. The theme was “Military Appreciation Night” and the Blue Devils illustrated the grind and grit that is synonymous with our nation’s military and pulled out a late come-from-behind victory 32 to 30 to go (1-0) in Region 2-2A Play and win the first Region Game of the Coach Clint Faust Era.
The game started off promising as Water Valley took the opening kickoff and marched all the way down to the Dragons’ four-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. The bulk of the drive came on a Taylen Johnson 22-yard rush off left end.
Palmer immediately got a first down before senior Outside Linebacker Will Embry strip-sacked the Palmer quarterback and junior defensive lineman Dez Campbell scooped and scored on a 25-yard defensive touchdown to put the Blue Devils on the board first. The two-point conversion attempt failed.
Jaden Morgan snags a kickoff and heads upfield.
Early in the second frame, Embry and junior defensive back Anthony Butler combined for another strip sack and again Campbell scooped up the loose ball and returned the ball inside the Dragons’ five-yard Line. Junior quarterback Tyler Richardson would rush it in for another touchdown behind a strong surge from Jack Woodard, Donalvin Wilson, Hayden Schurr, Ezaryon Riley, and Ja’Cameron Elmore on the quarterback sneak. The two-point conversion failed again, and the Blue Devils enjoyed a 12 to 0 lead.
On the ensuing drive, Palmer would go on a long scoring drive enabled by several third down quarterback scrambles that broke the Blue Devils’ containment. They would cap off the drive with three-yard rushing touchdown and add the two-point conversion and suddenly, it was Water Valley 12 and Palmer eight. The Blue Devils would pin Palmer deep and force a punt from their own one-yard line which set up a short field and a senior running back Jaden Morgan 25-yard rushing touchdown to extend the Blue Devils’ lead to 18 to eight at the intermission.
Palmer came out firing in the third quarter thanks again to more magical third down conversions by their quarterback. They would score on their opening drive to pull within two points at 18 to 16.
On the very next drive, the Blue Devils would fumble the football and give Palmer the short field and momentum. The Dragons made the Blue Devils pay as they pulled ahead 22 to 18 thanks to a miraculous Hail Mary play as the quarterback was wrapped up in the backfield.
The Blue Devils would respond as on the next drive Richardson hit junior wide receiver Dylan Moore for a 16-yard corner route in the endzone for a passing touchdown. Gabe Bulter would add the point after out of the hold of Richardson and the snap of Reid Burress. The Blue Devils pulled ahead 25 to 22 as the final quarter of play began.
The fourth quarter would provide more fireworks as Palmer scored one final time and added the two-point conversion. Down by five with only half the quarter remaining, the Blue Devils displayed the aforementioned grit and determination and drove ball down the field for the final go-ahead score. Water Valley was setup with great field position by a nice kickoff return by Anthony Butler. The Dragons had no answer for the Blue Devils going around left end. Water Valley was not even deterred by an inadvertent whistle that cost them a touchdown on that drive as the very next play was the same result and Morgan rushed in from 11-yards to put the Devils up for good.
The Dragons added late theatrics as they almost took the ensuing kickoff to the house but was forced out of bounds by Parker Turnage. One last ditch effort was thwarted by senior defensive back Jy Williams as he intercepted the ball and returned it 23-yards past midfield where the Blue Devils ran out the clock.
Defensively, the Blue Devils were paced by Donalvin Wilson with 19 total tackles, 4.0 sacks, six tackles for loss, and six hurries; as well as Reid Burress with 18 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and two hurries.
Offensively, Morgan had 14 rushes for 101 yards and two touchdowns, while Richardson had 34 yards passing, and Moore had 21 yards receiving.
“You found a way to get it done when it mattered, and you are (1-0) in the division,” Head Coach Clint Faust told the players. “You have earned the right to play for a division championship and set yourself up as a One or Two-Seed for a Home Playoff Game.”
“Everyone is going to have to elevate their game next week,” Defensive Coordinator Coach Richard Russo added in the post-game huddle. “We have to practice better, coach better, play on the scout team better, and especially play better if we want to beat a team the caliber of Calhoun City.”
The Blue Devils will host the undefeated Calhoun City Wildcats (7-0) for the de facto Region 2-2A Championship Game on Friday, October 20 at 7 p.m.
