Prep football’s regular season ends in Tennessee
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Similar to how Heath Tanksley ran the ball Friday on senior night, Walker Valley’s football team been powerful this season.
A resilient group under second-year coach Drew Akins set numerous school records in a 55-0 runaway Region 4-5A victory over Soddy-Daisy to close the regular season.
Just two plays into the second half, Tanksley eclipsed 200 yards on the ground. Behind a dominant offensive line, the senior running back showcased a quick burst and demoralizing stiff-arm to set a school record with 206 yards on just 11 carries with scoring runs of 44 and 30 yards. His longest run covered 58 yards.
“To be given significant carries for this team means a lot,” Tanksley said after helping the Mustangs (8-2, 2-1) finish second in the region and secure their first home playoff game since 2004, next Friday against Knoxville’s Powell (8-2).
“I broke my leg as a sophomore and then had a hamstring injury that hampered me last year. To be healthy and have an impact on a winning team feels really good. We have grown so much together and have been working extremely hard.”
Walker Valley’s defense was tough as it set a new program record with a third shutout performance.
A secondary led by Spencer Jackson, Ryan Lay and Lane Miller came away with three interceptions, while senior linebacker Kallum Lowe had a heads- up fumble recovery early. It was the program’s second straight game with four takeaways; the Mustangs replicated the feat performed in a 40-12 road win over East Hamilton two weeks earlier.
Soddy-Daisy (3-7, 1-2), which won the past two Region 4-5A titles, was held to 124 yards of offense.
“It’s amazing to be a Mustang,” said Lowe, who has led
a defense that has allowed an average of just 10.1 points per game. “I love how we come together as a school and as a program. Coach Akins and the staff here has helped us so much, and we have stuck together. This team clicks and we have a strong connection, which I think will help us in the playoffs.”
Walker Valley senior quarterback Tucker Pope completed 15 of 20 passes for 184 yards while throwing for a score and rushing for another, and Brody Swafford had a game-high four catches for 63 yards.
Spencer Jackson scored twice on the ground, including a 14-yard run on which he juked several defenders and dove to hit the pylon.
The Mustangs led 41-0 after Kyler Parris’ 5-yard touchdown catch with 2:33 left in the first half.
A 55-point margin of victory is now the biggest in program history for the Mustangs, whose seven- game winning streak helped the program land a program record eighth win.
“So many of our seniors have fought through adversity to get to where they are now,” Akins said. “They have put this program back on the map. I am so proud of what they have done. Our kids have played incredibly hard. We have talked about leaving a legacy. It’s just record after record for this senior class and we hope to keep them coming.”