Blue Devils Fall To Wildcats
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Junior kicker Gabe Butler put it through the uprights to score the only Blue Devil points in last Friday’s game against Calhoun City.
Staff Report
CALHOUN CITY – The Water Valley Blue Devils traveled to Calhoun City on Oct. 25 hoping to clinch at least a share of the Region 2-2A Crown but the Wildcats struck early and often to win to the tun of 53 – 3.
Calhoun City took the kickoff and marched 58-yards on the opening drive thanks to a six-yard rush. They would add the two-point conversion. The Blue Devil offense would follow that up by going three-and-out. Senior Punter Tyler Richardson did an excellent job angle punting and keeping the ball away from the Calhoun City punt returners.
It appeared as the Blue Devil Defense would get off the field on third-and-long, but the Calhoun City quarterback eluded the rushers and the spy to rush for a first down. The Wildcats would capitalize on that mistake and go up 16 to 0. The Blue Devils showed signs of life as junior Quarterback Zae Bradford ran off the right edge for a 45-yard rush. The Blue Devils would be stymied in the red zone and settle for a 36-yard field goal from junior kicker Gabe Butler and the snap of sophomore long snapper Alex Spruill and the hold of Richardson.
The second quarter would see the Wildcats continue their scoring ways on offense, with a punt return for a touchdown, and a pick six on defense. With the game well in hand, the Wildcats called and executed an onside kick. However, the Blue Devil defense would hold strong in the Red Zone. Late in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats would score again with some reserve players on the field. They were set up with excellent field position thanks to a Blue Devil botched punt.
Offensively, Bradford paced the Blue Devils with 36 yards rushing. On special teams, sophomore Miles Buford had 25 kick return yards. Defensively, Buford and Senior Donalvin Wilson had seven total tackles each. Junior Channing Freeman added a couple of pass breakups.
“There is nothing I can say to take this bad taste out of our mouths. All this means is that we cannot be the Region Champions,” Head Coach Clint Faust told his team in the post game huddle. :However, if we have our best week in the weight room, best attendance at school, best focus at practice, then we can be runners-up and ‘Earn’ a Home Playoff First Round Game. All of our goals are still ahead of this. We have to flush this game and move onward.”
The Blue Devils will host border rival Bruce on Friday, Nov. 1 at “Death Valley.” Senior night activities will begin around 6:20 p.m. The Blue Devils will honor nine senior football players, cheerleaders, band members and their families.
A lot will be on the line as the winner will be Region 2-2A Runners-Up and host the number three seed from Region 3-2A, while the loser will be on the road for the MHSAA First Round at the number two seed from Region 2-2A. Kickoff is slated for y p.m. at Bobby Clark Field.
