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