CARRIERE — The Wayne County War Eagles beat the Pearl River Central Blue Devils on a rain-soaked field 38-0 Friday night in Hendrix Memorial Stadium to set up a crucial district contest with the Picayune Maroon Tide next Friday night.

The War Eagles piled up 35 points in first-half action, and then eased off in the second half to put the Blue Devils away.

The War Eagles scored on a 41-yard field goal by kicker Garrett Reynolds at 11:53 in the fourth quarter to round out their 38 points for the night and to get their only points in the second half.

“I was satisfied with tonight’s performance, and I was glad to see some young kids play tonight because they work real hard during the week,” said War Eagle head coach Marcus Boyles.

The War Eagles mainstay at quarterback, Demarcus Henderson, did not see any action against Pearl River, but Boyles said he will play next week against Picayune.

“Yes, he will play next week,” said Boyles. Henderson injured his knee in action against West Jones last week.

Said Blue Devil head coach Jeremy Weir, “They have a great team, there is no doubt about it. But no matter, I am still proud of our kids. Although they are having a tough season, they play their hearts out every week.”

War Eagle sophomore quarterback Chuck Lacey, who filled in for Henderson, put together a 10-play, 65-yard drive after the War Eagles received the opening kick off. Running back Dewayne Davis capped the perfect drive on a 1-yard plunge with 8:17 left in first-quarter action. Reynolds kick for the PAT was good.

The War Eagles second score came midway in the first period when a shanked punt gave the War Eagles the ball on the Blue Devil 37. Four plays later Wayne County was back in the end zone on a screen pass to running back Rasharid Boman covering 29 yards and a touchdown. Reynolds kick was good, and with 4:17 left in the first quarter it was 14-0, War Eagles.

Lacey then put together another picture-perfect drive on 12 plays, covering 74 yards. From the Blue Devil 14 running back Dric Jones burst up the middle for 14 yards and the War Eagles third score. Reynolds extra point was good and it was 21-0 with 7:30 left in the second quarter.

Only two minutes later the War Eagles were in the end zone again, when defensive back Shan Rankin pounced on a bobbled snap by the Blue Devil punter on the 19, which rolled all the way into the end zone. Again Reynolds kick was good and with 5:34 left in the second half it was 28-0.

The War Eagles scored their last touchdown when a drive was set up by a 23-yard punt return by wide receiver Malik Lofton. Lofton pulled in a Blue Devil punt on the Devil 45 and skirted the sideline to the 24. Three plays later Boman plunged off tackle for 20 yards and his second TD for the night. Reynolds kick was good. The score came with 2:11 left in the second quarter.

At the half-time break is was 35-0.

The only other scoring by the War Eagles was Reynolds’ 41-yard field goal.

The Blue Devils only credible threat came in the waning minutes of the game when the Devils recovered a Wayne County fumble on the War Eagle 32. In five plays they moved to the one-yard line but time ran out.

The win left the Eagles 8-2 overall and 5-1 in district play headed into the Picayune contest next Friday. PRC has yet to win a ball game this year as they face perhaps their toughest, and roughest, foe next week at West Jones.

Wayne County wound up with 229 yards rushing and Lacey was 6 of 10 for 63 yards passing.

The powerful Wayne County defense held the Blue Devils to 93 yards rushing.

Devil quarterback Tyler Lee was 1 of 8 for five yards.

A driving rain soaked the field before the game started, but the rain stopped just before action got underway. Despite the rain, the stands were full.