Water Valley aims to keep win streak going

Published 10:30 am Thursday, September 7, 2017

It has been a couple years, but the Blue Devils have found their winning ways again.

After a 44-0 win over J.Z. George last Friday night, Water Valley finds themselves with a winning record in September for the first time since have a 2-3 record during the 2014 season. They have also won two games in a row since the 2015 season when they strung five wins in a row late in the season.

The progress is still on a week-to-week improvement, but the stock is rising for Water Valley (2-1).

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“We’re thankful to be 2-1 but also know that it’s a long season,” head coach Brad Embry said. “We just have to continue to work and stay focused. A lot of the time you’re your opponent. Obviously we have opponents to get ready for, but if you’re getting better every day then that’s all we can do.”

The winning streak will look to move to three when the Blue Devils host Bruce on Friday, capping their three-game home stand (7 p.m., 105.5 FM). Water Valley will then start a mini-road trip with games at Calhoun City and Winona the next two weeks.

Something that struggled to take off last year for Water Valley was the offense. That has not been the case in the early stages of this season.

The past two weeks have seen the Blue Devils light up the scoreboard, scoring 95 points against Coffeeville and J.Z. George. They have been able to do it with a balanced attack. Through the air, senior quarterback Ty Varner has thrown for 384 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground the Blue Devils have rushed for 543 yards and eight touchdowns. Trenderrious Brock leads the way with 253 yards and five touchdowns on 39 carries.

“(Brock’s) got some ability and I expect him to get better,” Embry said. “He’s a kid that we were really counting on last year. He got hurt early and missed the season. It hurt us but it really hurt him in his development. He’s really like a sophomore as far as he’s never really played that much. I expect him to get better weekly.”

It could be another good night for the Blue Devil offense, as Bruce (1-2) is allowing 32.3 points a game.

Defensively, Water Valley has improved drastically. Last season the Blue Devils were not much of a threat to opposing offenses, giving up 40 points per game. The season is only three games old, but Water Valley has skimmed that average down by 31 points, holding offenses to nine points per game.