Glen RyanAll weekend and even into Monday morning, Glen Ryan heard the congratulatory comments and absorbed the pats on the back.
Every time it was bittersweet. Each well-meaning salutation became harder to swallow than the last, and the thought by some that Walker Valley's rebuilding program is ahead of schedule in Ryan's third season leaves him cold, perhaps even frustrated.
"I expected us to be in the playoffs this year, and I had hoped to be in with a better record," he said. "We hoped to have a good shot at having a good year and definitely to make the playoffs. As it turned out, we struggled at the end to get in and even had to have some help."
While the defense is senior-dominated, especially in the line and at linebackers, there is more than a hint of youthfulness among the Mustangs' skill players from freshman quarterback Colton Gibson to receivers Tucker Mendenhall, Cooper Melton, Brice Nunley and Jack Eslinger and running backs Avery Johnson, Alex King and Donnell Armour. Too, the defensive secondary will return intact next year.
Each member of the team endured highs and lows, but the fact the Mustangs endured and continued was so important to the program, the school and the community.
"We're 15 or 16 points, basically three plays, away from being 8-2 and having the kind of year we were hoping to have," Ryan said. "It didn't happen. That's part of growing and maturing and learning how to win, but our kids finished out. They played hard all year and finished out strong against Soddy-Daisy. They were able to get a big win here and there, and fortunately we were able to get in the playoffs."
That is every team's ultimate goal. It is a brand-new year when everybody has equal opportunity. For the Mustangs, that means a Friday trip to Maryville.
"I'm excited. We're going against the very best this state has had for the past several years, and I want to see how we match up," Ryan said. "I told the kids they win because they don't make mistakes."
He also looks at this game as a continuation of a building block. Walker Valley has been in the football postseason only five times and is still looking for its first playoff win. Win or lose, though, he feels the program has turned the corner.
"Did we make mistakes? Yes, and I say we and I mean players and coaches, but we kept plugging away, and that's a big step for this program. Nobody folded his tent or faded away," Ryan said. "At the same time there are a lot of people out there that look at Walker Valley as the same old Walker Valley.
"There's a big difference in the program, and I would think our opponents will tell you this program is on the way up. Players and coaches alike are trying to build a program with tradition and pride that's going to be there for the long haul and be a program that people can be proud of."
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.