Preps Preview: Walker Valley Mustangs

Friday, August 17, 2012

BY THE NUMBERS3 - Total wins for Walker Valley in the past three seasons.1 - Playoff appearances for the program since moving up to Class AAA in 2005, one fewer than the winless seasons in the same span.16 - Consecutive losses the Mustangs currently have.SCHEDULEAug. 17 at East RidgeAug. 24 at HixsonSept. 7 Red BankSept. 14 at Cleveland*Sept. 21 Polk CountySept. 28 at McMinn County*Oct. 4 Soddy-Daisy*Oct. 12 Bradley Central*Oct. 19 at Rhea County*Oct. 26 Ooltewah** District 5-AAA gameGames start at 7:30 p.m.

WALKER VALLEY MUSTANGS

Coach: Glen Ryan (first year here, 50-46 in his nine years)

Stadium address: 750 Lauderdale Memorial Parkway, Cleveland, TN 37312

RECENT HISTORY

The Mustangs went 0-10 last season, extending their losing streak to 16 games. They have missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:

Season 1 5 10

2011 (0)

2010 --(2)

2009 -(1)

2008 ------(6)

2007 ---(3)

THREE STRENGTHS

1) This year's team is hungry. Suffering through last season was a somber experience for the Mustangs, and they don't want to repeat a winless year.

2) The Mustangs have a large group of seniors who want to do an "about face" and step up and compete in 2012.

3) The prevailing thought is that last season has brought the team closer together, and they continued to pull for each other through the offseason.

THREE CONCERNS

1) The Mustangs haven't won in 16 games, and until they experience a victory, will they believe they can?

2) The Mustangs have only about 50 varsity players, half of whom have little experience. How will they handle depth issues?

3) The team worked hard in the offseason getting stronger in the weight room, but is the overall strength where it needs to be yet?

THREE QUESTIONS WITH GABE CARTWRIGHT

(Senior running back/free safety)

Q: Just how hard was last year to deal with?

A: It was tough. We felt we put the work in, but we were unsuccessful. There were some things that we took from it, but it was an overall disappointment.

Q: How do you feel you've adjusted to being a running back?

A: I think I've adjusted well. I played it in middle school, so it definitely brings back some old memories. Plus Coach Ryan makes it easy to understand.

Q: How does this program start gaining respect?

A: By winning games. We don't want to be the stepchild of the county. We want to come out with fire and let people know what we're about this year.


ROSTER

1 Justin Ware - Senior

2 Jerry Shaw - Senior

3 Brandon Panis - Sophomore

4 Jason Ware - Senior

5 Cory Cook - Sophomore

6 Garrett Wallace - Senior

7 Caleb Longley - Senior

8 Zane Smith - Freshman

9 Reggie Mills - Junior

10 Holt Spencer - Sophomore

11 Josh Jones - Freshman

12 Jalyn Brown - Sophomore

13 Ryan Baker - Junior

14 Gabe Cartwright - Senior

15 Bryce Parker - Freshman

16 Brad Hoffner - Senior

17 Turner Lay - Freshman

18 Cody McCracken - Junior

20 Colton Morrow - Junior

21 Dallas Kuykendall - Sophomore

22 Kyle Baker - Freshman

23 Will Kinney - Freshman

24 Dustin Swafford - Junior

25 Jaylen Martin - Freshman

26 Joseph Munoz - Freshman

27 Morgan Goodman - Sophomore

28 Nathan Pruitt - Sophomore

29 Avery Jones - Freshman

30 Jake Johnson - Junior

31 Adam Rodriguez - Junior

32 Peyton O'Daniel - Sophomore

34 Giles McDaniel - Sophomore

35 Chandler Hunt - Junior

36 Dakota Hughes - Freshman

37 Rob David - Freshman

38 Chris Woods - Freshman

39 Corey Snyder - Sophomore

40 Daniel Busbee - Freshman

41 Zach Hartman - Junior

44 Bradley Franklin - Senior

50 Neyland Raper - Senior

51 Tanner Dillard - Junior

52 Bryson Locke - Senior

54 Hunter Newport - Sophomore

55 Blake Rose - Freshman

57 Cody Swafford - Junior

58 Connor August - Sophomore

59 Sadler Bartula - Sophomore

60 Chris Price - Sophomore

61 Franky Snyder - Senior

62 Ian Stanberry - Sophomore

63 Brycen Thomas - Junior

64 Bryson Bradley - Freshman

65 Sam Dworak - Senior

66 Jake Owenby - Senior

67 Will Futrell - Freshman

68 Ric Kennett - Sophomore

70 Chase Jenkins - Freshman

71 Alexander Hooper - Senior

73 Ben Seavey - Senior

74 Sam Noble - Freshman

75 C.J. Schwark - Freshman

77 Josh Davis - Freshman

78 Marvin Bullington - Sophomore

79 Garrett Moore - Junior

80 Alex Tweed - Freshman

81 Brice Gibson - Freshman

82 Dakota Belk - Senior

84 Ben Clark - Freshman

85 Josh Tuttle - Freshman

86 Blake Sims - Freshman

87 Brendon Gilbert - Sophomore

89 John Simmons - Junior