Blue Devils Fall To Red Raiders, Division Play Starts Thursday
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The Blue Devil coaches pulled out all the stops in Friday’s loss against Shannon. The game started with an onside kick that the Blue Devils almost recovered, and included a fake punt as quarterback Tyler Richardson connected with Ty Pritchard on a beautiful 30-yard pass.
WATER VALLEY – On Friday, October 6, 2023 the Class 4A Shannon Red Raiders came to town to take on the homesteading Blue Devils. The Raiders would jump out to a quick 14 to 0 lead and came away with a 34 to 3 victory.
The Blue Devils showed they came to play and attempted an onside kick to begin the game and were mere inches away from recovering it. The Red Raiders quickly drove down the field to take an early seven to nothing lead. The Red Raiders recovered the ensuing kickoff on a misplayed ball by the Blue Devils and made the Devils pay with another quick strike.
Water Valley showed some signs of life when Senior Long Snapper Will Embry broke down in front of the Red Raiders Punt Returner causing him to muff the punt and it was promptly recovered by senior defensive Back Jy Williams. Shannon’s defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs by Water Valley.
Another big special teams play set up the Blue Devils with a first down as junior punter Tyler Richardson hit senior wideout Ty Pritchard on a 30-yard fake punt pass, but again Shannon’s Defensive Unit would not be denied. Shannon would add two more scores in the first half to take a 27 to 0 lead into the locker room at the half.
Late in the game, the Blue Devils, in typical Water Valley fashion, did not give up and drove down to the Red Raider Red Zone and sophomore placekicker Gabe Butler hit a 27-yard field goal for the Blue Devils out of the snap of Reid Burress and hold of Richardson for only score.
Offensively, junior Dylan Moore had 16 receiving yards and Senior Jaden Morgan had 30 rushing yards. Defensively, the Blue Devils were paced by junior Donalvin Wilson with eight total tackles and a half sack.
“Let this sting for 24 hours and then get ready to compete in Division Play,” Head Coach Clint Faust told the team. “From here on out, it is all Class 2A Teams and people that have the same type of roster as we do. No excuses, we have to get the job done.”
The Blue Devils will take on Region 2-2A Foe M.S. Palmer Dragons on Thursday, October 12 at 7 p.m. at Bobby Clark Field.
Water Valley High School senior Will Embry has been selected to play for the north team in the annual Bernard Blackwell North/South All-Star team. The Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) announced the rosters on October 4. The football game is scheduled Dec. 9 at 11:30 a.m. at Gulfport High School. Embry was selected as a long snapper.
