Blue Devils’ Defense Stands Tall, Face Huge Matchup With Winona
Darius Tolbert wraps up for the tackle as Isaiah White closes in to assist in Friday’s big win over Calhoun City. – Photos by Leslie Brooks
Tay Rucker stiff arms a Calhoun defender as he looks for running room. Rucker scored both touchdowns in the game. – Photos by Leslie Brooks
By Mack Gordon
Sports Reporter
WATER VALLEY – With the Water Valley offense struggling to find the endzone, the Blue Devil defense came up with big stop after big stop to preserve a 14-13 victory over Calhoun City. The win marked Water Valley’s first win over the Wildcats since 2013.
Water Valley moved to (5-0) with the big win, their best start to a season since the 2013 season when they started with six consecutive wins before losing to Charleston.
Head Coach Brad Embry had some questions heading into this contest after his starters were yet to play a full 48-minute battle this season after the Blue Devils picked up big leads early in the games.
His questions were answered as the Blue Devils fought the Wildcats for all four quarters after falling behind early, en route to the 14-13 victory.
“We knew we were going to play an opponent that was going to pressure us and make it a four quarter ballgame,” Coach Embry said. “The guys did a great job of being in shape when it’s tough to be in game shape without playing four quarters, that’s what won it for us tonight,” Coach Embry added.
Calhoun City kicked off the scoring on their first drive, as Anfernee Campbell scored on a five-yard touchdown run to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead with 6:53 left in the first quarter.
Water Valley would get on the board early in the second quarter, as Tay Rucker scored on a three yard touchdown run to tie the game up at 7-7. Rucker would strike again on the next Blue Devil drive, finding the endzone from 35 yards out to give Water Valley a 14-7 lead with 6:22 left in the second quarter.
A big moment in the game would occur on the next Water Valley possession, as the Blue Devils were easing their way towards the goal line in Wildcat territory, seemingly about to take a 21-7 lead near the end of the first half. As Calhoun City would force a fumble and pick it and carry it 75 yards for the touchdown.
However, the Wildcats would fail to convert the two point conversion making the score 14-13, a play that would have a major effect on the outcome of the ballgame.
The second half would turn into a defense battle, with both offenses struggling to move the ball on the opposing defenses.
Water Valley’s defensive unit would feed off of the electric atmosphere at Bobby Clark Field to get two big stops in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter to preserve the 14-13 victory.
“I told the guys that I felt comfortable punting, when you have the lead and field position in your favor, punting isn’t a bad thing,” Coach Embry said on trusting the defense late in the contest.
The Blue Devils will host the Winona Tigers (5-0) this week, in a matchup of two of the top teams in 3A North. The Tigers reached the 2A State Championship last season, where they fell to the Taylorsville Tartars.
“I know they’re (Winona) a good team, they played for a State Championship last season, they’re well coached and have a lot of guys back (from last season),” Coach Embry said on the matchup with Winona.
