Eupora had everything under control on Friday night against Water Valley before things went south. After building a three-score lead in the second half, the Eagles weren’t able to hold on in what became a 48-46 shootout. Coach Brad Gray was frustrated for his young players that the team wasn’t able to build on back-to-back wins and a big lead against the Blue Devils. “I hate it for our guys because they’re doing a lot of things that we ask them to do. Offensively, we had some adversity but had some big contributions,” Gray said. “I was glad to be able to throw the ball and function some. We had a few injuries on the offensive side of the ball that made us shuffle up the playbook, but I was really pleased with how our guys handled that.” After leading 14-0 in the first quarter and 20-7 at half, the Eagles built a lead to 26-7 in the third quarter before Water Valley began their run. Eupora missed six 2-point conversions in the game that would prove fatal in the two-point defeat. Water Valley scored 19 points in the third quarter and another 22 in the fourth to come all the way back for the improbable win. Despite the loss, there were some major bright spots. Freshman wide receiver Jackson Knight had some big plays including a touchdown reception and 2-point conversion before being hampered with a hip pointer. Standout running back BJ Cork was back in the lineup after missing the first three games and playing sparingly the week prior against Okolona. Cork is getting closer to 100% and junior Cornathan Orr had his best game of his career with over 150 yards rushing. “Offensively, the big takeaway was that I was extremely proud of the people that touched the ball and the blocking up front,” Gray said. “I’m extremely encouraged with the amount of young guys on that side of the ball. Defensively, we had to shuffle some things around. I was encouraged overall, but disappointed we didn’t take advantage. “It was definitely a winnable game. If you put us in that game two years from now, it’s a different outcome, but unfortunately this is a learning experience for us.” Now Gray and his team turn the page to the final non-conference game before Class 2A, Region 2 play. The Eagles (2-2) will be back at home tonight to host a Noxapater Tigers team that has taken a couple of punches against Kemper County and East Webster but that is a tough matchup for Eupora out of 1A. “They’re extremely athletic in all three phases of the game. They’ve got around 49 kids and nine seniors and nine juniors that they’re counting on. They’re really fast and have a kid that plays tailback and receiver and he played wildcat against Okolona and probably had 300 yards by himself,” Gray said of Noxapater. “They’ve got a really good scheme and some good-looking wide receivers. Defensively they run to the ball really well and have really good level one and level two players and their linebackers and defensive ends might be the best we’ve seen this year outside of East Webster. It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us.”
