The Mustangs did what they needed to do after coming off a Region 4-5A loss to Rhea County last week and sophomore quarterback, Jacob Kerley, in only his second start for Walker Valley, did what he was supposed to do.
The Herd (5-2, 2-1 4-5A) dominated on both lines of scrimmage holding the Howard Hustlin' Tigers (2-4, 0-2) to 47 total yards while racking up 216 yards on the ground and 156 through the air in a 44-6 region win Friday at Howard.
“I thought We ran the ball really well. We played harder than I have seen us play in the last few weeks. The best thing I see coming out of this is we played with better effort especially on the offensive and defensive line. That's where we dominated the football game,” said Mustangs head coach Drew Akins. “Seeing those guys play hard, the first time we've seen them play like that in a few weeks, playing and having fun. I think we put too much pressure on them. They understand they have a target on their back as region champs. E kind of reset and told them this is supposed to be a fun game. I thought our guys had fun playing tonight for the fist time in a while.”
Kerley, after taking over for injured starter Dosen Stum, was primarily tasked with handing the ball off against Rhea, but showed out Friday in the passing department connecting for three touchdowns through the air while amassing 156 yards. The only blemish on the night came late in the second quarter when Howard's Zyshun Jones snagged a tipped pass and raced 70 yards for the Tiger's only score of the night.
Javan Hall's number was called 10 times on the night good for 128 yards. Roman Eulo made the most of his four carries with TDs of 1- and 4-yards in the first quarter.
Spencer Makuch helped put the Mustangs jump out front 20-0 with a 32-yard scoring catch midway through the second quarter.
Eulo added to his scoring total with just over three minutes left in the half hauling in a 40-yard toss from Kerley that made it a 26-6 game at halftime.
Makuch stunted a Tigers' threat as the first half wound down with an interception in the end zone.
“It was good to see him (Kerley) make some plays. He throws a good vertical ball. We let him open it up tonight compared to last week,” said Akins.
The Mustangs picked up where they left off in the first half with a two play drive to open the second beginning with a 15 yard carry by Hall. The next play saw Kerley find an open Luke Hayden across the middle for 37 yards and a TD that put Walker Valley on top 33-6.
Tyler Goldman stepped up in a big way fo the Herd with a pick six from 35 yards out that led to a 41-6 Walker Valley lead and a running clock.
Noah Campbell put the finishing touch on the night for Walker Valley with a 31 yard field goal three minutes into the fourth quarter.
The road gets a bit tougher for the Mustangs in a must win situation next week as the region leading East Hamilton Hurricanes blow into the MAC. The 'Canes stand at 6-1 overall — 3-0 in region football — and look to tighten their grip on the top spot. A Walker Valley win sets up a logjam at the top of the heap with a pair of 3-1 region marks.
“Next week is going to be tough, obviously, against a state ranked East Hamilton team.,” Akins said looking ahead. “They are playing really well. Coach (Aaron) Nance is outstanding. I am really so impressed with what he's done there in two years. We're really going to have to play a really good game to be able to make sure we give ourselves a chance to win throughout the game and be competitive in the fourth quarter.”
SCORING SUMMARY
WALKER VALLEY
|
13
|
13
|
15
|
3
|
--44
|
HOWARD
|
0
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
-- 6
|
First Quarter
WV — Roman Eulo 1 run (kick failed), 6:38
WV — Eulo 4 run (Dillon Trew kick), 3:15
Second Quarter
WV — Spencer Makuch 32 pass from Jacob Kerley (Noah Campbell kick), 6:33
H — Zyshun Jones 70 interception return (kick failed), 4:54
WV — Eulo 40 pass from Kerley (kick failed), 3:16
Third Quarter
WV — Luke Hayden 37 pass from Kerley (Campbell kick), 11:21
WV — Tyler Goldman 35 interception return (Reece Davis pass from Eulo), 6:57
Fourth Quarter
WV— Campbell 31 field goal, 9:21
STATS
|
WV
|
H
|
First Downs
|
19
|
4
|
Rushes-Yards
|
216
|
5
|
Passing Yards
|
156
|
42
|
Total yards
|
372
|
47
|
Passing (Comp-Att-Int)
|
7-11-1
|
3-13-2
|
Punts-Average
|
1-32.0
|
5-35.0
|
Fumbles-Lost
|
0-0
|
0-0
|
Penalties-Yards
|
3-19
|
5-27
|
HIGHLIGHTS
Rushing: Javan Hall 10-128, Spencer Makuch 4-41, Eulo 4-18 2TD, Lincoln Jackson 10-52 (WV).
Passing: Kerley 7-11-156 3TD; Fletcher Williams 3-13-42 (H).
Receiving: Eulo 1-40 TD, Makuch 2-37 TD, Hayden 2-48 TD, Joseph Arnett 1-17, Tate Rountree 1-14 (WV).
Records: Walker Valley 5-2, 2-1 4-5A; Howard 2-4, 0-2.
Up next: Walker Valley hosts East Hamilton next Friday.
(Email Richard Roberts at richardvol55@yahoo.com)