Water Valley Falls In Playoff Opener
MABEN – The Water Valley Blue Devils closed out their football season Friday night with a 50-8 loss to East Webster in the opening round of the Class 2A state playoffs.
Water Valley finished the season with a 4-7 record after earning the third playoff spot from Region 2-2A.
The Wolverines took control early, building a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and extending their advantage to 28-0 by halftime.
East Webster made several big plays throughout the contest, including a 78-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. A 46-yard scoring run and an interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter pushed the Wolverines’ lead to 42-0.
Water Valley answered with its only scoring drive of the night. Demarea Johnson scored on an 11-yard run with 36 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Quarterback Derion Gale then completed a two-point conversion pass to Nehemiah Brown to make the score 42-8.
East Webster added a safety and another touchdown in the fourth quarter to account for the final margin.
The Blue Devils entered the playoff contest battling injuries, and the loss of Miles Buford early in the game added to their difficulties.
The defeat ended a season in which Water Valley reached the playoffs after closing the regular season with a 48-20 victory over East Union.
New classifications announced
Meanwhile, the Mississippi High School Activities Association has released its classifications and football region assignments for the 2027-29 school years.
Water Valley will remain in Class 2A. Its classification enrollment figure places the Blue Devils among the largest schools in Class 2A, which will include 40 schools statewide.
Only Thomas E. Edwards Sr. High School has a higher enrollment figure in Class 2A.
The new football alignment keeps Water Valley in Region 2-2A alongside Bruce, Myrtle and Strayhorn. H.W. Byers, moving up from Class 1A, will join the region, replacing East Union, which moves to Region 1.
The new assignments will take effect with the 2027 football season.
