Prep Blitz 2014: Walker Valley Mustangs

Walker Valley's Reed Jacobs knows the best ability is availability.

He plans to showcase that and his playing skills this season.

The Mustangs senior will be part of a linebackers corps that is looked upon as a strength for what is still a young team. Jacobs, along with fellow seniors Jake Johnson, Brandon Panis, Dallas Kuykendall, Hunter Newport and Brandon Jacobs, will be asked to provide leadership this season.

"It's the position I feel the best about this year," coach Glen Ryan said. "They will be our leaders and will definitely anchor our defense."

Jacobs spent a lot of time watching last season. He separated his shoulder Sept. 6 against East Hamilton, then reinjured the shoulder during the Soddy-Daisy game the last week of the year. In addition, he had surgery on his ankle during basketball season.

"I spent a lot of time on the couch last year," he said. "It was awful."

He agreed that the four seniors at the linebacker positions will be looked to for leadership - and believes they should be.

"I think we've taken it upon ourselves as part of our responsibility," he said. "We've fixed every problem this year - especially our secondary and our line. We're deeper this year than we were last year, so I think we'll be all right."

After a 5-6 season that included a first-round playoff loss in 2012, the Mustangs were 4-6 in 2013 - a solid season considering they began with 38 freshmen and only nine seniors on the roster. The Mustangs are still young this season, but that doesn't mean the expectations shouldn't be higher.

"There's no team on the schedule that we don't believe we can beat," Jacobs said.

- Gene Henley

WALKER VALLEY MUSTANGS

Head coach: Glen Ryan (9-12 in two years here; 59-58 overall)

Last year: 4-6

Returning starters (O/D/K): 4/4/2

2014 Schedule

(all games at 7:30 Eastern)

Aug. 22 - East Ridge

Aug. 29 - at Sequoyah

Sept. 5 - at East Hamilton*

Sept. 12 - at Rhea County

Sept. 19 - Bradley Central*

Sept. 26 - Polk County

Oct. 10 - Ooltewah*

Oct. 17 - at Cleveland*

Oct. 24 - at McMinn County*

Oct. 30 - Soddy-Daisy*

  • District 5-AAA game

Control panel: Holt Spencer (5-11, 181, Sr.) had four touchdowns rushing last season and will be used in both the offensive and defensive backfields this season. WR Cooper Melton (6-3, 170, So.) had 12 catches and three touchdowns and has great hands for receiving. LB Hunter Newport (5-10, 195, Sr.) had 95 total tackles and is one of six seniors in the rotation.

New producers: Josh Jones (6-0, 180, Jr.) takes over at quarterback for the Mustangs after completing 47.6 percent of his passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns a year ago, with one start. One of his many options in the backfield, Avery "A-Train" Jones (5-9, 175, Jr.), will take on a much larger role after rushing for 90 yards in five games as a backup a year ago. Slot receiver Bryce Nunnelly (6-0, 175, So.) will do more as well in the new spread offense and has loads of playmaking skills.

By the numbers:

9 - Total wins in two seasons under Ryan, which equals the number of victories from the four seasons prior.

3 - Wins in nondistrict play last year, all against playoff teams: East Ridge (4A), Sequoyah (4A) and Rhea County (5A).

8 - 2013 playoff teams the Mustangs play to start the 2014 season.

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