Walker Valley senior running back Cason Cunningham has the power to handle carries between the tackles for tough yards. He’s also a mismatch for opponents as a target in the passing game, thanks to his shiftiness and speed burst.
Cunningham put it all together while providing the most complete performance of his prep career to date Friday night, when he rushed for 124 yards on 14 carries, added 99 yards on seven catches, and made three tackles in the Mustangs’ 38-15 win at Soddy Daisy.
The 5-foot-8, 160-pound workhorse opened the TSSAA Region 3-5A matchup with a 14-yard score, and he began the fourth quarter with a 1-yard touchdown plunge to help build a 28-9 lead. His 223 total yards broke his previous career high of 213 — which he reached during last year’s regular-season finale against Rhea County while setting a program single-game record with 206 rushing yards — and The Times Free Press has selected Cunningham as its prep football player of the week.
“I am able to get out in space more in the passing game, which allows me to do what I do best: make people miss,” Cunningham said. “We play with a lot of speed and confidence on both sides of the ball, and we believe in each other. We are hungry to compete on every down.”
Walker Valley improved to 5-1 and 3-0 in region play with its fifth straight win, and Cunningham has been a big part of the winning streak. Already a Tennessee Sports Writers Association all-state selection as a junior, Cunningham has averaged 134.5 yards per game this season, when his 29 receptions lead the team and he has rushed for 528 yards on 81 attempts (6.5 per carry).