CALHOUN CITY — It was a tougher test for Water Valley than the ones in the weeks prior.

The first half of the exam the Blue Devils were passing with flying colors. Once their game against Calhoun City concluded, head coach Brad Embry felt differently.

“I wouldn’t give it an A,” Embry said.

Water Valley had their three-game win streak ended by the Wildcats in a 48-28 loss at D.L. Williams Field on Friday night.

It is the fourth straight loss to Calhoun City dating back to 2013.

After withstanding a early surge by the Wildcats (4-1) which saw them go up 14-0 in the first seven minutes of the game, the Blue Devils (3-2) responded.

Water Valley put up 21-unanswered points to close out the first half, including a five-yard run by junior running back Trenderrious Brock at the buzzer for the 21-14 lead at halftime.

“It’s a learning process,” Embry said. “We didn’t learn enough tonight. We got better.”

Momentum shifted in the second half. Calhoun City once again rattled off 14-straight points to retake the lead at 28-21.

Water Valley answered with Brock’s third and final touchdown of the night. This one a nine-yard run that knotted things up at 28-all.

From there Calhoun City showed why they are the reigning MHSAA Class 2A state champions with 20 unanswered points to close out the game.

“We’re too good or have too much potential. We’ve got to get better,” Embry said. “We’ve got to get better. All of us. Coaches, players, managers. Everybody. I don’t want to have any regrets about what we could’ve done. We can mosey along and pat ourselves on the back for playing a good half. But that just limits what we can do.”

Senior quarterback Ty Varner tossed the fourth Water Valley touchdown to senior wide receiver Jayvon Morgan that went for 29-yards late in the second quarter.

Water Valley stays on the road next week when they travel to Winona for a final tune-up before entering Region 2-3A play.