Water Valley Survives Scare, Runs Past Veribest in Second Half

VERIBEST, TX — If the No. 9-ranked Water Valley Wildcats didn’t take Veribest seriously before their game Friday, they certainly did once the Falcons took the lead in the third quarter.

Veribest took a 20-16 lead over heavily favored Water Valley on the opening drive of the second half, and it seemed to wake up the Wildcats.

Water Valley scored the next 50 points and shut out Veribest the rest of the way for a 66-20 win that likely earned the Wildcats the second and final playoff spot out of District 8-1A Division I.

“I told the kids all week, ‘Don’t underestimate them,” Water Valley head coach Trey Sisco said. “(Veribest) is a dangerous football team, and I guess they didn’t believe it with the way they came out in the first half. But thank goodness, we got it going.”

Water Valley improved to 8-1 overall and 3-1 in District 8-1A. Veribest fell to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in district.

Despite an inspiring run to put itself in a position to reach the playoffs, Veribest probably saw its best chance end Friday. The Falcons would have to upset No. 5 Menard next week — and do so convincingly — to earn a playoff spot.

Veribest played like its season was on the line against Water Valley and hung with the Wildcats for much of the night.

The Falcons trailed only 16-13 at halftime and then scored to start the second half when Sutton Martin punched in a 1-yard TD run with 6:58 left in the third quarter.

The lead only lasted for 10 seconds, however, as Branson Lacy broke loose for a 45-yard TD run on the very next play.

Lacy ran wild in the second half and finished with 277 yards and seven TDs, and he also threw two scoring passes to Race Ashley and Cutter Lange.

More than anything, Water Valley’s defense smothered Veribest the rest of the way to quickly turn a close game into a runaway win.’

“If we play like we did after (Veribest) scored in the third quarter, I think we’ve got a chance to beat anybody,” Sisco said. “But if we come out like we did in the first half, we’re going to struggle.”

Water Valley’s defense was led by Hudson Wiese, who returned an interception 20 yards for a TD and also recovered a fumble.

Water Valley will finish its regular season next week at home against Sterling City, while Veribest will travel to Menard.

Water Valley 66, Veribest 20

Water Valley   16   0   28   22 — 66

Veribest   13   0   7   0 — 20

First Quarter

WV - Branson Lacy 46 run (Hudson Wiese kick), 9:51 remaining

V - Javi Munoz 18 pass from Lorenzo Hight (kick blocked), 2:19

WV - Race Ashley 18 pass from Lacy (Wiese kick), 1:26

V - Jayden Saucedo 38 pass from Hight (Bentley Saladino pass from Saucedo), :26

Third Quarter

V - Sutton Martin 1 run (Saladino pass from Saucedo), 6:58

WV - Lacy 45 run (Wiese kick), 6:48

WV - Lacy 34 run (kick failed), 3:52

WV - Cutter Lange 35 pass from Lacy (Wiese kick), 2:32

WV - Wiese 20 interception return (kick failed), 1:11

Fourth Quarter

WV - Lacy 9 run (kick failed), 9:53

WV - Lacy 17 run (kick failed), 7:15

WV - Lacy 46 run (Wiese kick), 5:06