Missed Opportunities Cost Blue Devils In 24 – 18 Loss

MYRTLE – Water Valley had plenty of opportunities to end its losing streak Friday night, but costly turnovers and missed scoring chances allowed Myrtle to escape with a 24-18 victory over the Blue Devils.

Water Valley led twice in the first quarter and threatened repeatedly throughout the contest, but three trips deep into Myrtle territory ended without points as the Blue Devils suffered their fifth consecutive defeat and fell to 2-6 on the season.

The Hawks extended their winning streak to six games and improved to 6-1 behind a powerful rushing attack that produced 347 yards.

Myrtle delivered the decisive blow with 5:18 remaining when Drew Staton broke loose for a 50-yard touchdown run on fourth down, extending the Hawks’ lead to 24-12 following a successful two-point conversion.

Water Valley answered with a touchdown, but Myrtle maintained possession and ran out the clock.

The Blue Devils got off to a promising start when their defense forced Myrtle to punt on its opening possession.

Shaddai Freeman fielded the kick at the Water Valley 40-yard line and raced 60 yards for a touchdown, giving the Blue Devils a 6-0 lead. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

Myrtle answered almost immediately, taking advantage of a strong kickoff return that gave the Hawks possession at the Water Valley 43-yard line.

Two plays later, the Myrtle quarterback broke free for a touchdown, and the successful two-point conversion put the Hawks ahead 8-6.

Water Valley responded with a big passing play as quarterback Derion Gale connected with Kylan Armstrong for a 40-yard gain to the Myrtle 25. However, the drive ended when the Blue Devils fumbled and the Hawks recovered.

Demarea Johnson delivered a hard hit on a quarterback keeper, and the Blue Devils forced another fourth down. This time, Miles Buford broke through to block the Myrtle punt, then recovered the ball and returned it to the Hawks’ 20-yard line.

Gale capitalized on the excellent field position, scoring on a touchdown run to put Water Valley back in front 12-8. Another unsuccessful two-point attempt left the Blue Devils with a four-point advantage.

The Hawks threatened again on their next possession, but Jonathan Malone intercepted a Myrtle pass to give Water Valley the ball at its own 24.

An 11-yard run by Gale on a fourth-down fake punt and a 10-yard carry by Tre Adams helped move the Blue Devils into Myrtle territory.

A Myrtle personal foul advanced the ball inside the 20, but Water Valley’s offense stalled and an incomplete pass on fourth down ended the threat.

Myrtle then mounted a lengthy scoring drive, moving from its own 6-yard line to the end zone behind a series of quarterback keepers and runs up the middle.

Johnson made another tackle for a loss during the possession, but the Hawks repeatedly picked up the yardage needed to keep the drive alive.

Myrtle scored on a 3-yard run with 1:43 remaining in the half. The two-point conversion gave the Hawks a 16-12 lead.

Water Valley moved into Myrtle territory on a 17-yard completion from Gale to Nehemiah Brown and a penalty against the Hawks.

But Gale was intercepted near the goal line with 22 seconds remaining, and Myrtle took a knee to end the half.

Johnson returned the second-half kickoff to the Water Valley 45, and the Blue Devils began moving downfield behind Adams and Johnson.

Johnson picked up a first down on an 8-yard run, then broke through for another 15 yards. Adams followed with a 19-yard gain to the Myrtle 9.

Water Valley reached the 3-yard line, but a holding penalty erased a fourth-down touchdown pass from Gale to Brown. Gale was intercepted in the end zone on the next play.

After a Myrtle punt, Adams broke loose for consecutive gains of 22 and 15 yards, moving the ball to the Hawks’ 31. Gale then connected with Tavarus Jackson for a 20-yard completion to the 15.

A facemask penalty pushed the Blue Devils backward, but Water Valley continued to move toward the goal line.

Facing fourth-and-goal from the Myrtle 5, Johnson carried the ball to the 1-yard line before being stopped short, ending another promising possession without points.

The Hawks took over with their backs against their own goal line as the third quarter ended.

Myrtle then put together the game’s most damaging possession, converting multiple fourth downs to keep the Blue Devils’ offense on the sideline.

The Hawks eventually reached midfield, where they faced another fourth-down decision with just over five minutes remaining.

Staton found an opening up the middle and raced 50 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion extended the Hawks’ lead to 24-12.

Starting at its own 44, Water Valley picked up seven yards on an Adams run before Gale connected with Armstrong for a first down. A horsecollar penalty against Myrtle moved the ball to the Hawks’ 12-yard line.

A false start pushed Water Valley back five yards, but Gale found Freeman for a 17-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 24-18.

The two-point conversion failed, leaving the Blue Devils six points behind.

Myrtle took possession at its own 37-yard line and ran out the remaining time to secure the victory.

Water Valley coach Clint Faust emphasized the importance of discipline and attention to detail, saying the little things can make the difference in close games. He said the Blue Devils must keep working to correct those mistakes as they head into their final two region contests.

Water Valley will kick off Thursday night on the road against Strayhorn, with game time set for 7 p.m.