UPDATED: Diamond Rebels report, Cooper opts to transfer

As if getting acclimated to classes wasn’t enough for the new — and returning — baseball players, the 38 members of the Ole Miss baseball team are also going through team-related activities. (more…) (August 23, 2010)

Water Valley survives OT scare

It took late-game heroics, but the Water Valley Blue Devils were able to survive an overtime scare to defeat the Bruce Trojans 13-7 Friday at Bobby Clark Field.

“You win football games by fighting and scrapping and we did that,” WVHS coach Brad Embry told his team after the game. “It doesn’t matter how you get it done on Friday night.”

Senior Eric Buckley scored on a 4-yard run to open the overtime period, but a botched extra-point attempt gave the Trojans a chance to go ahead on the ensuing possession.

With the season-opener on the line, Water Valley’s Wrecking Crew defense answered the call of its coach. (August 23, 2010, Page 3B)

News and notes: Big weekend for area athletics

Currently at the Gillom Sports Center for Ole Miss volleyball’s first full scrimmage of the fall I figured it would be a good time to get y’all up to date on some news and notes from around the area. (more…) (August 21, 2010)

Blue Devils win thriller in OT

WATER VALLEY — The Blue Devils’ game didn’t quite go like head coach Brad Embry drew it up, but in the end a win is a win. After scoring on the first possession of overtime, but failing to convert the ensuing extra point, the Blue Devils had to hold on for dear life to secure a 13-7 victory over Bruce at Bobby Clark Field. (more…) (August 20, 2010)

Blue Devils play host to former division rival

The players on the Water Valley football team have spent the last three weeks not only battling each other, but the Mississippi heat in preparation for tomorrow night when they host the Bruce Trojans at Bobby Clark Field beginning at 7:30.

The Trojans, which used to be in Water Valley’s region prior to the most recent reclassification, will provide a variety of challenges to the Blue Devils. (August 19, 2010, Page 6)

NWCC’s Woods excited for new year

Ricky Woods doesn’t like to lose. The veteran coach, who once won 60 games in a row at South Panola, isn’t used to not making the playoffs and competing for championships.

So when the Rangers missed the MACJC playoffs last season despite a 6-3 overall record, the goal for Woods was to get the program better and headed back in the right direction. (August 17, 2010, Page 7)

WVHS QB makes debut

Freshman E.J. Bounds made his debut on Friday as Water Valley’s quarterback, taking over for departed senior Josh Johnson.

Against Vardaman, Bounds did not complete either pass he attempted (0-for-2) but he was able to manage the Blue Devils’ offense and engineered two scoring drives.

He also carried the ball one time for 11 yards, resulting in a first down.

Expect Bounds to be a true dual-threat quarterback. Head coach Brad Embry indicated during the preseason that the Blue Devils expect to pass more this season. When a pass play breaks down, Bounds possesses the feet and ability to scramble for positive yardage. Opponents beware. (August 16, 2010, Page 8)

‘Wrecking Crew’ shuts down VHS

Friday night’s matchup with Vardaman at Bobby Clark Field may just have been a jamboree, but the Water Valley Blue Devils didn’t play like it was just a scrimmage.

There was no going through the motions for the Blue Devils, who quickly put their stamp on the Rams with a display of swagger not seen from the team in quite some time. (August 16, 2010, Page 8)

WVHS Blue Devils ready for contact

There comes a point in every preaseaon practice where a team of players gets tired of hitting on each other and wants to take out their frustrations on another squad.

That point has already been reached for the Water Valley Blue Devils, according to their coaches, and the first opportunity to knock heads with another team comes at just the right time. WVHS hosts Vardaman in jamboree action tonight at Bobby Clark Field at 7:30. It will be the first live scrimmage of the year for the Blue Devils, who have performed well in the 14 practice sessions leading up to the meeting with the Rams. (August 13, 2010, Page 6A)

Former Oxford standout Falkner excited about next stop in his career

Tuesday had to feel like the longest day of Barkley Falkner’s life. The former Oxford High basketball standout left the United States on a plane bound for Denmark to begin the next chapter of his career. (more…) (August 11, 2010, Page 9)