Versatile Conard developing as WVHS leader

Chris Conard has all the attributes of a star football player. He easily passes the eye test and looks good on paper. He has the skill set that not only makes him stand out, but has allowed the current junior to play on Water Valley’s varsity squad since he was in eighth grade.

Last Friday, Conard had a career-game in Water Valley’s 20-10 win in the season finale at Mooreville, grabbing three interceptions while also making nine tackles and breaking up five passes.

It’s because of that stellar performance that Conard was named the EAGLE’s Final Player of the Week for the 2010 season. (November 2, 2010, Page 9)

Motivated Blue Devils top Winona

WATER VALLEY — A highly motivated Water Valley Blue Devils team knocked off the Winona Tigers 31-21 at home on Friday at Bobby Clark Field to secure the second seed in Region 2-3A. (more…) (October 23, 2010)

Gooch shows knack for finding the end zone

Lafayette’s Anfernee Gooch has been overshadowed for much of the 2010 season by workhorses Jeremy Liggins and Demarkus Dennis.

That may have played a factor in Gooch’s breakout performance on Friday that earned him his second EAGLE Player of the Week honor.

Against the Millington Central Trojans, Gooch caught four passes and converted each into touchdown scores of 9, 55, 59 and 45 yards. (October 19, 2010, Page 8)

Defense, special teams lift WVHS past Cougars

The Water Valley Blue Devils (7-2, 2-1) won convincingly Friday night in a very important Region 2-3A game against the South Pontotoc Cougars (4-5, 2-1) as a tenacious defense and well-executed special teams unit were the difference in the 38-14 Blue Devil victory. (October 18, 2010, Page 1B)

Early momentum carries WVHS to victory

The Water Valley Blue Devils (7-2, 2-1) captured a huge divisional win over the Cougars of South Pontotoc (4-5, 2-1) Friday night 38-14. The win ties the Blue Devils for second place in Region 2-3A with the Tigers of Winona. (more…) (October 16, 2010)

Hervey, Robles earn Co-POW honors

For the first time since the weekly honor initially donned the pages of the Oxford EAGLE last season, there’s a Co-Player of the Week.

Because one heroic play would not have been made possible without the other, both Alex Robles and Des Hervey have been named this week’s Player of the Week.

Water Valley’s kicker and cornerback/receiver came up big at the end of Friday’s 23-20 victory over Nettleton.

With the game tied 20-20, Robles, recently called up to the varsity from the eighth grade team, booted a 25-yard field goal to go ahead.

Four plays later, Hervey swooped around the right side of Nettleton’s protection and blocked what would have been a game-tying field goal to secure the Blue Devils’ victory. (October 5, 2010, Page 8)

Robles, Hervey lift Water Valley in OT

Water Valley has several big-time players that litter its roster: senior running back/safety Eric Buckley, junior receiver/cornerback Chris Conard and freshman quarterback E.J. Bounds, just to name a few.

On Friday at Nettleton’s Jack Carlisle Field, it was an unlikely recent roster addition, however, that ended up being the hero for the Blue Devils in their 23-20 overtime victory. (more…) (October 4, 2010, Page 3B)