Brainerd quarterback Sam Caffey (11) is brought down by Walker Valley’s Colton Morrow (20) while Dallas Kuykendall (21) closes in. The second night of the High School Football Jamboree was held at UTC’s Finley Stadium.Walker Valley first-year head coach Glen Ryan couldn’t have been much happier with his offense and defense in each unit’s first series in Saturday’s city high school football jamboree. The rest, not so much.
Thanks to stopping a late Brainerd conversion run, the Mustangs came out ahead 7-6 in the first of six periods on the second night of the 20-minute continuous-clock exhibitions at Finley Stadium, but they have also won in recent jamborees and not followed up during the season.
“We’ve got to let them know this is not acceptable,” Ryan said. “This is not going to make us or break us, but we need to learn to be more consistent. We can’t let up. You see what happens when we let up.”
Coming off an 0-10 season, Walker Valley had the opening possession and marched 70 yards in six running plays. The last was a 42-yard run off right tackle by Gabe Cartwright, who was switched from wingback to halfback after last year’s leading rusher, Kelvin Wells Jr., transferred to McMinn County. Brad Hoffner made the extra point.
The Panthers picked up one first down on their opening possession, but it was halted on a fourth-and-3 from the Mustangs’ 49 when Walker Valley’s Tanner Dillard read the jet sweep, shot the through the line and brought down Kaylen Stewart for a 4-yard loss.