Blue Devils pick up first win of 2024

West Memphis tops Sylvan Hills 13-10

By RALPH HARDIN

ralphhardin@gmail.com

The West Memphis Blue Devils football team is in the win column. After what has been a disappointing start to the 2024 season by virtually any measure, the Blue Devils, rebuilding under first-year coach Vincent Newton, got a much needed victory this past Friday night, topping the visiting Sylvan Hills Bears by a final score of 13-10.

It was a defense dominated game at the onset, with both teams going scoreless in the first half. It was Sylvan Hills who drew first blood, with a touchdown in the third quarter to take a 7-0 lead. However, an onside kick attempt did not go the Bears’ way, giving the Blue Devils excellent field position.

West Memphis took advantage of the spot with a quick touchdown of their own to knot the score at 7-7. Sylvan Hills reclaimed the lead late in the third quarter with a field goal, making it 10-7.

But that was all the scoring the Bears would do, as the Blue Devils took the lead in the fourth quarter with another touchdown. Even with the missed point-after, West Memphis had a 13-10 lead, a lead they would hold on to for the remainder of the game.

The Blue Devils capped the win with an interception on Sylvan Hills’s final drive, securing the win and sending the home crowd home happy.

The win moved the Blue Devils to 1-6 on the season, and 1-3 in 6A East Conference play. West Memphis will be back in action this Friday night, as they hit the road to take on a the El Dorado Wildcats, who have an identical 1-3 conference record. Game time in El Dorado this Friday is 7 p.m.

The running game was a key part of the Blue Devils’ win over the Bears, with both of West Memphis’s scores coming via rushing touchdowns.

Photo by Marie Bolton, Blue Devil News Crew

The Blue Devils slap hands after a big play in West Memphis’s win over Sylvan Hills last Friday night at Hamilton-Shultz Stadium.

Photo by Chloe Cassidy, Blue Devil News Crew