The Blue Devils were 35 seconds away from a district championship, but Senatobia rallied back to tie the contest and won in overtime Friday night. 

Water Valley took its first lead of the game with 9:19 left in the fourth quarter, when Jon Surrett knocked home a 26-yard field goal to make the score 10-7.

The lead wouldn’t hold, however, as Senatobia knocked home a 23-yard field goal with under a minute left to tie the game at 10.

“It was a hard-fought football game,” Water Valley Head Coach Brad Embry said. “Both teams played their guts out. It’s a tough one to swallow. Hats off to Senatobia, they’re a good football team.”

The Warriors scored on the first play of overtime, and proceeded to hold Water Valley to only two yards and no points, ending the game with a Warrior 10-7 victory. 

Senatobia got the scoring started in the first quarter after an interception. The Warriors struck for a 23-yard touchdown pass to take the early 7-0 lead.

Water Valley would answer with a touchdown of their own in the second quarter, when quarterback Jacob Truss hit Darius Tolbert in stride from 44 yards out.

A defensive slugfest would ensue in the third quarter, resulting in a Water Valley punt and a Warrior turnover on downs.

“The effort is good,” Embry said. “We just came out on the wrong end of this one. We played a lot of close games. We pulled a lot of those out, but we just couldn’t pull this one out.”

Water Valley took the first possession of the fourth quarter and converted a field goal.

The ensuing Warrior drive resulted in a missed 35-yard field goal, but the Blue Devils weren’t able to run out the three minutes remaining on the clock, as the Warriors forced a three-and-out.

Senatobia blocked the Blur Devils punt, giving them the football at Water Valley’s 24-yard line.

The Blue Devils defense stiffened again, holding them out of the end zone, but this time the field goal was good.

Senatobia scored on the first play of overtime, and Water Valley couldn’t match it, giving the Warriors the victory.

Water Valley will be back at home on Friday night as the No. 2 seed from their district.

“The second season is over,” Embry said. “Playoff football is here. That’s what we’re here for. We’ll just have to overcome and adjust and get ready to go.”

By Collin Brister