CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Despite what he's considered to be some issues on offense, Walker Valley football coach Glen Ryan has had very little to complain about with his defense.
They've given him no reason to, including Friday night, when the Mustangs also produced 404 yards of total offense in a 37-14 homecoming victory over Polk County. It was Walker Valley's first victory in seven tries against the Wildcats.
Freshman quarterback Kolten Gibson racked up 171 of his 198 yards passing -- and all three of his passing scores -- as the Mustangs jumped to a 23-0 lead by halftime.
They had 254 yards of total offense but seven penalties totaling 65 yards in the first 24 minutes. Meanwhile, the defense was limiting Polk to two first downs and 31 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers on fumbles.
"We've really been emphasizing getting off the field in practice, and the defense was everywhere tonight," said senior linebacker Hunter Newport, who had 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. "We've been working hard in practice, and everybody's been doing their jobs."
Gibson hooked up with former quarterback Josh Jones on a 39-yard touchdown pass on Walker Valley's first possession. Newport's fumble recovery led to a Kevin Sabany field goal late in the first quarter, and then Gibson had touchdown tosses of 50 and 25 yards to sophomores Bryce Nunnelly and Tucker Mendenhall.
"We had a chance to put them away early, but we have to iron out some kinks," Ryan said. "We can't make those mistakes down the road, because those little things are going to eventually add up."
The Mustangs scored on the first possession of the second half, scoring on a 6-yard run by Alex King. Polk answered with its best drive of the game, finished on a Seth Sloan touchdown reception from Isaac Smith, but Walker Valley's King and Avery Jones combined for all 67 yards on the ground on the next possession, with Jones scoring on a 9-yard run.
Teddy Mealor had an 80-yard touchdown run in the final minute for the Wildcats (0-5), who are off to their worst start since 1999. Coach Derrick Davis apologized to the Polk fans afterwards.
"I'm embarrassed for them. I don't know how to comment," Davis said. "It's been a tough go. All credit goes to Walker Valley: They played hard-nosed football and made us look bad."
Jones finished with 86 yards receiving for Walker Valley and also had a 62-yard punt-return touchdown called back. King had 88 yards rushing, while Ryan Rowland finished with 89 yards rushing to lead the Wildcats.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.