Special Teams Shine in Shootout; Water Valley Tops Robert Lee in Bi-District

STERLING CITY, TX — The Water Valley Wildcats took care of business tonight against the rival Robert Lee Steers in their playoff opener, 98-50.

25 miles. That is the distance that separates the towns of Water Valley and Robert Lee. Over the years, they have battled on the football field, basketball court and on the track, usually in district play. That changed this year when the UIL placed them in different districts.

So, fans of the rivalry had to wait until the bi-district round of the playoffs this season to see them go head-to-head.

“Just seeing them so much last year (Robert Lee coach Lee McCown) and I know each other pretty well,” said Water Valley head coach Trey Sisco. “They do what they do, and we try to counter it and vice versa. It makes it kind of hard when you play those guys over and over. Especially against good coaches like that.”

At one point, it looked like the game might be over at halftime with the Wildcats pulling ahead 28-6 in the first quarter. Before the buzzer could signal the beginning of the second, the Steers scored and would not go away.

As electric a player as Branson Lacy is, Robert Lee’s Malachi Wauqua is going to be a problem next season. He and Major Smith connected on several big plays. Both are juniors, and teams need to watch out.

What set Water Valley apart was their special teams. Junior Hudson Wiese, who made possibly the play of the game later on, recovered one of his onside kickoffs, and several others returned kicks for touchdowns throughout the game. In fact, both squads' special teams made huge plays be it recovering onside kicks or taking them back for touchdowns.

For what felt like forever, the Steers stayed steadily behind as the Wildcats were trying to mercy rule the game. Three points kept Robert Lee in the game.

Into the fourth quarter, with help with freshman Aiden Stubbs who pressured Wauqua, the Robert Lee signal-caller threw one towards the end zone, but Wiese would step in front of the ball and snag himself the game's only interception. Then, it was Lacy to Kort Morrison for the final score of the game that ended it with 8:38 left due to the 45-point mercy rule.

“Man, I’m proud of the kids,” said Coach Sisco. “They fought hard tonight against a great team. Last year, we battled them for what seemed like forever. Then we ended up with them this year. They’re well-coached. That’s a great coaching staff with a great group of kids over there. As far as our kids, I’m proud of them. They fought hard, never gave up, so, onto the next one.”

Up next, Water Valley will play the winner of Grady and Borden County who play Friday.