BLOG – Water Valley’s perfect start to the 2012 season came to an end Friday night with a 35-21 setback to the Charleston Tigers.The Blue Devils (4-1) battled the defending Class 3A state champions and made things close late, but they were never able to make a key stop on defense or play on offense to potentially tie the contest. Charleston took a 7-0 lead on its first drive of the game, but the Blue Devils fought back and tied the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter when quarterback E.J. Bounds connected with Jarad Williams for a 5-yard touchdown reception.
Immediately after Charelston took a 13-7 lead midway through the second quarter, the Blue Devils responded with a 58-yard scoring drive that featured a 37-yard hookup between Bounds and Derrick Brady. Bounds then capped the drive with a 7-yard pass to Alden Burns that put WVHS up 14-13 with a made extra point from Alex Robles.
Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, that was their last lead of the game as Charleston scored on a 1-yard pass as the half came to an end and then tacked on another scoring run and 2-point conversion to push the lead to 29-14 in the third quarter.
Water Valley got as close as eight (29-21) with 3:39 left in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run by Jeoffrey Gordon. The Blue Devils pinned the Tigers deep on the ensuing kickoff, but the Tigers picked up a first down on a WVHS penalty and then matriculated the ball down the field to score their final touchdown with 39 seconds left in the game.
For reaction from the game, see Monday’s Sports section. (September 15, 2012)
