Water Valley Holds Off Rival Robert Lee to Return to State Semifinals

SAN ANGELO, TX — The No. 2-ranked Water Valley Wildcats are headed back to the state semifinals after a hard-fought 50-28 win over No. 6 Robert Lee on Friday at San Angelo Stadium.

Don’t let the 78 combined points fool you. This game was defined by defense.

Robert Lee was inches away from tying Water Valley in the final minute of the third quarter after reaching a first-and-goal at the 2-yard line.

That’s when the Wildcats made the goal-line stand of the season to keep the Steers out of the end zone.

Moments later, Landon Lacy broke free for a 60-yard TD run to extend Water Valley’s lead to 34-20 and send the Wildcats on their way to a season sweep of their rivals.

"I'm ecstatic," Water Valley head coach Trey Sisco said. "The kids fought hard. It was a tough game. (Robert Lee has) a great football team and great coaches. They did a tremendous job today and made us work for everything we got."

Water Valley improved to 13-0 and will face another rematch next week against Rankin for the right to play in the Class 1A Division I state championship game.

Water Valley beat Rankin 68-20 back on Oct. 3.

Robert Lee’s season — which included its first playoff wins since 2012 — came to an end with a record of 11-2. The Steers’ only two losses were against Water Valley.

Robert Lee lost 67-30 to Water Valley when they met in district play, but the Steers hung right with the Wildcats for much of Friday's game.

Robert Lee's defense came up with three straight stops to start the second half, giving the Steers a chance to pull even with Water Valley.

That's when the goal-line stand changed everything.

Robert Lee's first run put the Steers on the 1-yard line, but they were dropped for a loss the next two plays, and a fourth-down run by Brenner Sherwood was stopped short.

"That was a tremendous job by our defense," Sisco said. "To come in there in a game like this and get a stop was unbelievable, and that kind of changed the momentum. If they'd have scored right there and possibly tied it up, it could have been a different outcome. But that's the difference in this game, and I was glad our defense came up and took care of it."

Water Valley's Landon Lacy, who had two key interceptions on defense, gave the Wildcats' rivals credit for the way they played in the second half.

"We knew they were going to give us a punch, but we were ready to take it and we were ready to keep going. I feel great. I feel like our guys handled adversity so well," Lacy said.

In addition to the goal-line stand, Water Valley's defense also had four takeaways against Robert Lee, including three interceptions against Sherwood, who is an all-state spread back.

Sherwood was limited to 22 carries for 94 yards and a TD, and he was 19-of-34 passing for 224 yards and two TDs. Wyatt Bosworth had two TD catches, and offensive lineman Brennen Hood had six catches for 67 yards.

Water Valley jumped in front 28-6 late in the second quarter, but Robert Lee refused to go away quietly, playing some outstanding defense of its own against one of the state's best offenses.

Branson Lacy had 18 carries for 185 yards and three TD runs to lead Water Valley's offense before Boston Wiese added a couple TD runs late to put the game away.

Landon Lacy was 9-of-15 passing for 157 yards and a TD with no interceptions.

The Wildcats reached the state semifinals last year for the first time in program history. They lost to Whiteface 74-54 in that game, and they haven't lost since.

If they can get past Rankin again, it seems likely that No. 1-ranked Gordon — winners of 42 straight games and back-to-back titles — will be waiting in the state final

This story will be updated.

Water Valley 50, Robert Lee 28

Robert Lee   6   8   6   8 — 28

Water Valley   8   20   6   16 — 50

First Quarter

WV - Branson Lacy 33 run (Landon Lacy kick), 6:52 remaining

RL - Brenner Sherwood 7 run (kick blocked), :43

Second Quarter

WV - B. Lacy 10 run (kick blocked), 9:02

WV - Brylan Naylor 35 run (L. Lacy kick), 3:56

WV - Rett Dickison 42 pass from L. Lacy (kick failed), 2:13

RL - Wyatt Bosworth 21 pass from Sherwood (Sherwood kick), :44

Third Quarter

RL - Josh Garcez 2 run (kick failed), 4:40

WV - B. Lacy 60 run (kick blocked), :09

Fourth Quarter

WV - Boston Wiese 18 run (L. Lacy kick), 6:50

RL - Bosworth 26 pass from Sherwood (Sherwood kick), 5:17

WV - Wiese 3 run (L. Lacy kick), 2:17