Blue Devils Undefeated In Region With Win Over Urchins
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EAST UNION – Water Valley capped the regular season Thursday night with a 32–22 road win over the East Union Urchins, grinding through a cold, muddy field and a scrappy opponent to stay perfect in Region 2-2A play. The victory lifts the Blue Devils to 8–2 overall and 4–0 in the division, earning them the Region 2-2A championship and home-field advantage for the opening round of the Class 2A state playoffs.
The win didn’t come easy. The Devils arrived to find a soggy surface that made footing difficult all night.
“The field was wet and slick, and it’s hard to get up for a team that’s only got one win,” said Coach Clint Faust. “But I watched film on the —East Union is only a handful of plays from being a four- or five-win team. Coach over there has a good program. They just need a few more athletes.”
Water Valley’s Zae Bradford is stripped of the ball a step from goal line, turning a sure touchdown into a turnover during Thursday night’s win at East Union.
Water Valley’s offense came out fast, taking advantage of a short opening kickoff to start near midfield. Behind senior running back Tre Adams and quarterback Zae Bradford, the Devils needed just eight plays to find the end zone. Bradford sprinted 12 yards untouched on a quarterback keeper for the first score of the game. Gabe Butler’s extra point was true, and Water Valley led 7–0.
After forcing a punt, the Devils struck again before the end of the first quarter. Bradford broke free on another keeper—this time from seven yards out—pushing the lead to 13–0. It looked early like the Blue Devils would dominate but East Union kept fighting.
The Urchins answered midway through the second quarter, putting together a 70-yard drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown run. A two-point conversion made it 13–8. Minutes later, the home team grabbed momentum when Water Valley’s long drive ended with a fumble only steps away from the end zone. East Union capitalized on the turnover, driving down for a score to take a 14–13 lead with just over two minutes left in the half.
Braylon Benson and Kemauri Page bring down an East Union runner during the Blue Devils’ 32–22 win.
The Blue Devils didn’t panic. Bradford led a quick, efficient drive, mixing short runs and timely passes to get into scoring position. Adams, who returned to full health after missing time earlier in the season, did the heavy lifting and finished the drive with a two-yard plunge to retake the lead, 19–14, with 24 seconds left in the half.
Both teams struggled to find footing early in the third quarter as the temperature dropped. The Urchins managed another long drive, leaning on misdirection plays and quarterback keepers to retake the lead, 22–19, late in the period. The score marked the last time East Union would find the end zone, as Water Valley’s defense tightened the screws from there.
With the game still in doubt early in the fourth, the Blue Devils returned to what they do best—pounding the ball behind their offensive line. Adams ripped off runs of 27 and 25 yards on consecutive possessions, dragging defenders and chewing clock. He finished one of those drives with a short touchdown to push the Devils ahead, 25–22.
Moments later, the Water Valley coverage team delivered the turning point of the night. On the ensuing kickoff, a jarring hit forced a fumble, and the Devils recovered deep in Urchin territory. Bradford wasted no time, sneaking in from a yard out to make it 32–22 after Butler’s kick.
That 10-point lead held the rest of the way. The defense, led by Parker Turnage, JD Gooch, and Kemauri Page, stuffed East Union’s final two drives, forcing turnovers on downs near midfield. Page recorded a key stop on third down, and Miles Buford and Braylon Benson added pressure off the edge to shut the door.
Adams finished with more than 120 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Bradford added around 80 yards on the ground and two more scores, while Derion Gale contributed a long run to set up a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Offensively, the Devils committed a few costly penalties and a turnover but made up for it with grit and second-effort runs that wore down the Urchins’ defense.
East Union finished its season 1–9 overall and 0–4 in Region 2-2A,
“It was an ugly W,” said assistant Coach Bryant Mix. “I’m glad to see the fans show up.”
Mix said the focus now shifts entirely to playoff football. “They either get up or go home,” he said. “We’ll challenge them this week in practice.”
The win was Water Valley’s fourth straight and the team will now turn its attention to Walnut, which closed the regular season 3–7 and winless in its division.
