Walker Valley Falls In 5A Semis To Knox West

Defending State Cahamps Knock Off Mustangs, 38-3

Saturday, November 25, 2023
Richard Roberts

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The best season in the history of Walker Valley football came to a quiet close in the 5A state semifinals Friday as the Mustangs fell to defending state champion Knoxville West by a final score of 38-3.

The Rebels took full advantage of Walker Valley turnovers scoring three times in the first quarter on two fumbles and a fake punt gone wrong to build an insurmountable advantage forcing the Mustangs to play catch up. An ask that proved too much.

Walker Valley's lone score came on a 39-yard Eli Wilson with just over seven minutes left in the first quarter that cut the West lead to 7-3. It would be as close at the Mustangs (11-3) were able to come in their effort to catch the Rebels (13-1).

West will play for its second consecutive state title against the 12-1 Page Patriots Friday at Finley Stadium, in Chattanooga.

“You just can't turn the ball over. When you turn the ball over in a game like this against a great team like that you're going to get behind the eight ball then you start chasing,” said a disappointed Mustangs head coach Drew Akins. “They are just good. They're so good at what they do. They're simple, but they do what they do so well.”

The Rebels took an early 7-0 lead after recovering a Walker Valley fumble on the first play of the game.

The Mustangs scored next on Wilson's field goal.

A disastrous fake punt attempt by Walker Valley set up the next West score that opened the lead to a 14-3 lead. The Mustangs' second fumble led to a 21-3 Rebels lead. A field goal just before the half put West out front 24-3.

The Walker Valley defense stood strong to open the third quarter holding the Rebels on fourth down, but the Mustangs were unable to produce any offense and gave the ball back after being stopped on fourth down.

The Rebels took a 31-3 lead with a score on the ensuing possession and finished out the night with a final score with just under two minutes left to play.

“They were incredible up front. Offensively, they do just enough to keep you off balance,” said Akins. “I thought our defense played really hard and played really well. We put them in two bad spots with the turnovers in the first half. If we don't put them in those bad spots it's possible 10-3 at the half and we're in the game. But, when you turn the ball over it changes the game.”

The Mustangs were held to just nine first downs and 121 total yards of offense while the Rebels racked up 359 in the win. Walker Valley leading rusher, quarterback Evan Schwarzl, who picked up 601 yards over the course of the season was limited to only 18 by the West defense.

“I hate it for our defense because I felt we could have put them in better spots to hold them (West) a little lower. But, they're a great football team. But, we're a great football team, too,” Akins said. “What we did this year was really special. For us to be in the semifinals at Walker Valley five years after being 1-19 says a lot about our program and our coaching staff and this group of kids and the direction our program is going.”

SUMMARY

WALKER VALLEY	3	0	0	0	-- 3
KNOX WEST	14	10	7	7	-- 38

First Quarter

KW — Devin Jamison 4 run (Pete Rogers kick), 10:52

WV — Eli Wilson 39 field goal, 7:13

KW — Marshaun Bowers 14 run (Rogers kick), 0:08

Second Quarter

KW — Jamison 36 run (Rogers kick), 10:57

KW — Rogers 21 field goal, 0:05

Third Quarter

KW — Bowers 46 run (Rogers kick), 2:14

Fourth Quarter

KW — Mesijah Wren 4 run (Rogers kick), 1:40

STATS	WV	KW
First Downs	9	16
Rushes-Yards	28-47	40-216
Passing Yards	74	143
Total yards	121	359
Passing (Comp-Att-Int)	7-17-0	10-19-0
Fumbles-Lost	3-3	1-1
Penalties-Yards	7-35	12-116
Punts-Average	3-39.7	0-0.0