The Walker Valley Mustangs exploded for two touchdowns in three minutes in the third quarter and held on to beat the Tullahoma Wildcats 27-20 in the first round of the TSSAA Class 5A playoffs Thursday night in Charleston, Tennessee.
Tullahoma (5-6) started the season with three straight wins but finished the campaign losing six of its final eight. The Wildcats also lost in the first round last season and have now lost in the first round 17 times in 30 playoff appearances.
The Wildcats finished third in Region 4-5A and traveled to Walker Valley, the second-place finisher in Region 3-5A. It was the first meeting ever between the two schools since Walker Valley opened in 2001.
Tullahoma jumped on top early as the Mustangs botched their first punt attempt, setting the Cats up at the home team’s 18-yard line. Marvancy Johnson scored from five yards away with 7:57 remaining in the first quarter, and Chase Dodson’s PAT gave Tullahoma a 7-0 lead.
But the Mustangs answered on their next series, driving 80 yards and scoring on a one-yard run by Roman Eulo. With the score tied 7-7, Tullahoma junior quarterback Patrick Riddle, starting for the first time in his career, was sacked and fumbled the ball. Walker Valley recovered, but Tullahoma’s defense held the Mustangs to a 37-yard field goal.
The Wildcats’ next drive stalled, but junior punter Aiden Walker boomed a 55-yard punt to flip field position. Walker was named the Midtown Nutrition Player of the Game. Three plays later, Tullahoma recovered a Walker Valley fumble and Riddle connected with Will Hyden for a 31- yard touchdown, giving Tullahoma a 13-10 lead with 8:35 remaining in the half.
Tullahoma fumbled it again on its next possession, and the Mustangs capitalized with a 22-yard field goal to tie the score 13-13 at the half. Walker Valley marched 85 yards in six plays, including a 61-yard run, and scored with 8:24 remaining in the third quarter to take a 20-13 lead.
Following another Tullahoma punt, Mustang QB Chase Stephens threw a perfect bomb to Javen Hall for a 93-yard touchdown, increasing the lead to 27-13. The Wildcats embarked on an 80-yard, 15-play drive that ended with a Lucas Reed quarterback sneak touchdown. Dodson’s PAT cut the lead to 27-20 with 8:15 remaining in the game.
After Walker Valley used five minutes off the clock and punted, Tullahoma took over at its 15- yard line with 3:19 left and all three timeouts. However, after one first down, a holding penalty and a sack ended Tullahoma’s chances.
Riddle completed 10-20 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. Johnson finished his outstanding career with 150 rushing yards on 22 carries and a score. For the season, he rushed 196 times for 1,387 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also caught 23 passes for 342 yards and five touchdowns, and returned a kickoff 85 yards for another score, giving him 26 touchdowns on the season.
