Blue Devils’ defense pounds Pirates in win
The sweat that rolled down the face of Water Valley senior linebacker J.D. Fondon following Friday night’s 28-0 win over Coffeeville was like a refreshing rain in the midst of drought.
A year after giving up 34 points in a home loss to the Pirates, Fondon wanted to make sure that the Blue Devils got some revenge on their Yalobusha County rival to the south. Leading the Wrecking Crew defense, Fondon and company battered and bruised the Pirates all night when they had the ball. (August 30, 2010, Page 1B)
Wrecking Crew’s swagger tough to match
During Water Valley’s preseason game against Vardaman, a message was sent to opposing teams — look out.
To say the Blue Devils have a mean streak might be an understatement; junior cornerback Chris Conard made that blatantly clear during Water Valley’s preseason game against Vardaman when he came downhill on a kickoff and knocked out a 270-pound player, literally.
It’s that kind of take-no-prisoners attitude that is expected to be on display all season. (August 27, 2010, Page 6A)
Blue Devils need another great effort Friday
Another great effort, similar to what they gave in the season opener against Bruce, is what the Water Valley Blue Devils will be looking to achieve Friday night against Yalobusha County rival Coffeeville.
The annual Railroad Trophy game will be played in Coffeeville this year. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game can be heard locally on WTNM (105.5 FM). (August 26, 2010, Page 6)
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)
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)
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)
Snapping comes naturally to McGee
Punters and kickers go largely unnoticed on the football field, but for every kicker there is usually a long snapper that is taken for granted by bystanders.
In Water Valley that is not the case, as Blue Devils head coach Brad Embry has long preached the importance of senior long snapper Fred McGee. (August 3, 2010, Page 7)
