#HSFT17: Stop No. 20 – Water Valley Blue Devils

WATER VALLEY, Miss. (WCBI) — For the first time in his nine years as head coach, Brad Embry and the Water Valley Blue Devils missed the postseason in 2016.

“A lot of our motivation this summer has been, we fell off last year,” Embry said, “we didn’t have the season we’re used too, what we expect, and that’s been our motivation this summer.”

Embry enters his tenth season as the man in charge of Blue Devils football, and, even through a down year, keeps the expectations that same as years past.

“Every year, we expect to be a playoff contender. Last year, obviously…that didn’t happen, but that doesn’t change our goals for this year. We look forward to that challenge of getting Water Valley football where it’s supposed to be”

“I think we use the 2-9 record from last season to motivate us to go for something bigger,” senior wide receiver and defensive back Jamie Owens said.

“I just think everybody is working to get to a common goal, and that’s to get back to the playoffs and then we can dream of something bigger after that”

Nine seniors return for Water Valley in 2017, and will be relied upon to help return the Blue Devils to their winning ways.

“They’re well rounded, good in the classroom, they’ve been accountable,” Embry said of his seniors, “I hope they provide the senior leadership we need to get this thing turned around.”

Championships and playoff appearances have become tradition in Water Valley, and this year’s team believes they can be a part of the history books.

“I’m really just anxious to get the season started,” Owens said.

“I think we have a lot of potential on the team, I think we have the pieces to be a really good team, as long as we put in the work. I want to accomplish a championship. I think that’s everybody’s goal…”