Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Walker Valley's Cason Cunningham carries the ball as host Cleveland's Lakorious Eddins (7) closes in Thursday night during the season opener for both teams. Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Walker Valley's Cason Cunningham carries the ball as host Cleveland's Lakorious Eddins (7) closes in Thursday night during the season opener for both teams.
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — After last year’s humbling at the hands of Cleveland, Walker Valley relished the thought of going on the road and getting revenge when the rivals played again Thursday night to open the 2025 season.
While it was a bonus to have a couple of those Cleveland kids along for the ride, there was no question who the on-field conductor of the train was for the Mustangs.
Roman Eulo — who is committed to play at Austin Peay — had four touchdowns and more than 100 total yards of offense, and Walker Valley had no problem dispatching of the rival Blue Raiders, 28-3 at Benny Monroe Stadium.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Walker Valley (2) Aiden Burns celebrates after recovering a Cleveland fumble during their game at Cleveland High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Cleveland High color guard member Harper Nowlin, 17, puts a stack of hats on his head before the start of their game against Walker Valley at Cleveland High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Walker Valley (16) Chase Stephens fires a pass during their game at Cleveland High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Walker Valley (6) Roman Eulo carries the ball for a touchdown as Cleveland (14) Kyreece Westfield defends during their game at Cleveland High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Walker Valley (19) Miles Hawk tries to block a pass by Cleveland (2) Kason McGowan during their game at Cleveland High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Walker Valley (8) Cason Cunningham carries the ball as Cleveland (8) Camron Wilson wraps him up during their game at Cleveland High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Walker Valley (1) Sawyer Boyd catches a pass over the middle as Cleveland (4) Emilio Greene defends during their game at Cleveland High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Walker Valley (23) Braylon Beard hits Cleveland (2) Kason McGowan as he fires a pass during their game at Cleveland High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Walker Valley (9) CT Gunter carries the ball as Cleveland (3) Braydon Mejia defends during their game at Cleveland High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Cleveland (23) Bra’Shaun Beard gets control of an errant pitch during their game against Walker Valley at Cleveland High School on Thursday, August 21, 2025.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Walker Valley’s Tyler Goldman (27) pressures host Cleveland’s Kason McGowan as he pitches the ball during Thursday night’s matchup of rivals in Bradley County.Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Walker Valley’s Cason Cunningham (8) carries the ball as host Cleveland’s Lakorious Eddins (7) closes in Thursday night during the season opener for both teams.
It was the first step in what looks like a promising season for the Mustangs, who added multiple transfers from one of their rivals inside in Bradley County and got immediate help from them in the opening victory. Quarterback Chase Stephens passed for 127 yards and had a touchdown toss to Eulo, while receiver Sawyer Boyd had 64 yards on five catches.
