Hawks drop district game to Devils

Holly Springs got off to a hot start Friday night but couldn’t keep the momentum going.

The Hawks, in their homecoming game at Sam Coopwood Park, scored first but went on to drop a 34-14 District 2-3A contest to Water Valley.

“We did a lot of things well early on and jumped on them first, up 8-0,” coach Sylvester Hemphill said.

Dylan King got the Hawks’ first touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. He threw to Cameron Washington for the two-point conversion.

“Well into the second quarter, we had some breakdowns and just basically didn’t make the plays,” Hemphill said. “They went up at halftime due to a lot of mistakes we made.”

Holly High’s other touchdown came when King ran for 30 yards, then fumbled, but teammate Anthony Gulledge Jr. picked it up and scored from 3 yards out.

Coach Hemphill said a big plus in the loss was the fact that his Hawks had no turnovers.

“We can grow from that,” he said. “If you don’t self-inflict, you have a chance. That’s what we are trying to sell to these guys. If you don’t beat yourselves, you can play with anybody.”

He said his senior signalcaller, King, turned in a strong performance. “It was probably his best game, from an execution standpoint and as a game manager,” Hemphill said. “He made some great reads and put the ball where it needed to be.” The problem was on the receiving end.

“We had some miscues — dropped passes when we were wide open,” Hemphill said. “That was the most disappointing thing from an offensive standpoint. We have to catch the football.

“With no turnovers in the game, it was left up to the playmakers, and we didn’t get the plays we needed to win. If we

make the plays, it’s a different ball game.”

King was nine of 13 through the air for 98 yards. He kept the football 10 times for 65 yards.

Defensively, Hemphill said his team has to get better both execution-wise and in tackling.

Marquay Monger had eight solo tackles and five assists to lead the Holly High defense.

Water Valley is two years removed from a Class 3A state championship, and Hemphill said the Blue Devils remain “one of the top teams in our district.”

“They’re a very talented team, but we know we can match up with teams like that if don’t turn the ball over and if

we make the plays,” Hemphill said. “We’re getting there; it’s just baby steps.” This Friday night, it’s time for the Marshall County rivalry game. The Hawks (1-6 overall) travel to Byhalia to face the Indians (0-5). It’s also a district contest, and both teams are 03 in the district. The Indians lost 35-7 last week to Senatobia.

“We’re excited and looking forward to it,” Hemphill said. “We have to keep working hard in practice this week and get better. Hopefully our guys will be geared up and ready to play.”

Byhalia has won five straight in the cross-county series.