#HSFT19 Stop #20 — Water Valley Blue Devils

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WATER VALLEY, Miss. (WCBI) — The hardest task in high school sports is to repeat as state champs. Coming off of winning the gold ball in 2018, the Water Valley Blue Devils are prepared to receive everyone’s best shot as team’s look to knock them off the top.

“We talk to them,” said head coach Brad Embry. “Coach Nix says that once a day to them in the weight room that you’re no longer hunting. You’re being hunted. That’s something I hope the kids understand, but after the first few games I’m sure we’ll get a good picture of it. That’s great. That’s a good place to be. That means we’ve done things right.”

“It’s kind of hard,” said senior linebacker Grant Burress. “You have to turn around and make that decision again. You have to turn around and stop celebrating and comeback to work. I think the guys have done a great job.”

The Blue Devils look to retool after graduating the starting defensive line and wide receiver core featuring Jones Junior College signee Bud Tolbert.

“I tried to stress to a few of our guys that you don’t have to be Bud Tolbert,” said Embry. “Be yourself. We may be a little different this year on offense and defense, but we’ll find a way long as we work each and everyday. I think it’s impossible to try to replace an exact person each and every year. Just got to be the best us we can be.”

“We lost a lot of guys but at the same time we have a lot that are returning,” said Burress. “We have some young guys coming up that I think can really help us so I think we’ll be alright.”

Despite the losses, Water Valley brings back senior quarterback Jacob Truss who looks to showcase the growth and development he’s made this off season in his game.

“I think that’s a big place to start when you got your quarterback coming back,” said Embry. “I expect a lot out of him because last year he was just using his God given ability. I expect this year for us to become more of a quarterback as the season goes on and throughout this summer and be even better.”

“Truss. He’s a pretty good athlete,” said senior defensive end Ty Morgan. “Him returning back brings a lot of pride and and courage to this team because he mostly did the majority of everything.”

“Truss is huge. He’s a crazy good athlete and a good leader on our field. He’ll be good for us this year, real good.”