Walker Valley Mustangs Roll Past Pounders in Shutout
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Walker Valley took a brief moment to shake off an early lull Friday night, then unleashed a first-half avalanche that buried Chattanooga Central 49-0 at “The MAC.”
Junior quarterback Chase Stephens was nearly flawless, throwing for 354 yards and six touchdowns while completing 15 of 19 passes before resting in the second half. His favorite targets — Sawyer Boyd and Luke Hayden — delivered in a big way. Boyd caught seven passes for 146 yards and two scores, while Hayden hauled in three touchdown receptions among his four grabs for 120 yards.
The Mustangs’ only rushing touchdown came from Cason Cunningham, who scored from four yards out midway through the second quarter. By halftime, Walker Valley had piled up all 49 of its points, triggering a running clock for the remainder of the contest.
Defensively, the Mustangs smothered the Purple Pounders, holding them to just 94 total yards and five first downs. Eli Robinson, Thavin Scruggs, Layne Farris, and company ensured Central never threatened, as the visitors managed just three completions in 15 attempts.
Head coach Drew Akins noted his team needed to refocus after opening the season with three emotional rivalry games. “We talk about playing to a standard, not an opponent,” Akins said. “Once we got out of that laziness, we really picked it up. I thought we got better as a football team tonight.”
With the victory, ninth-ranked Walker Valley improved to 3-1 and 1-0 in Region 3-5A. The Mustangs now turn their attention to Ooltewah, which they’ll visit Friday in another key region matchup.
Junior quarterback Chase Stephens was nearly flawless, throwing for 354 yards and six touchdowns while completing 15 of 19 passes before resting in the second half. His favorite targets — Sawyer Boyd and Luke Hayden — delivered in a big way. Boyd caught seven passes for 146 yards and two scores, while Hayden hauled in three touchdown receptions among his four grabs for 120 yards.
The Mustangs’ only rushing touchdown came from Cason Cunningham, who scored from four yards out midway through the second quarter. By halftime, Walker Valley had piled up all 49 of its points, triggering a running clock for the remainder of the contest.
Defensively, the Mustangs smothered the Purple Pounders, holding them to just 94 total yards and five first downs. Eli Robinson, Thavin Scruggs, Layne Farris, and company ensured Central never threatened, as the visitors managed just three completions in 15 attempts.
Head coach Drew Akins noted his team needed to refocus after opening the season with three emotional rivalry games. “We talk about playing to a standard, not an opponent,” Akins said. “Once we got out of that laziness, we really picked it up. I thought we got better as a football team tonight.”
With the victory, ninth-ranked Walker Valley improved to 3-1 and 1-0 in Region 3-5A. The Mustangs now turn their attention to Ooltewah, which they’ll visit Friday in another key region matchup.