Coach Ted Lockerby and his staff saw marked improvement in the Walker Valley football team Wednesday in a scrimmage against the Baylor Red Raiders.

Lockerby said the team’s effort on the Walker Valley field was much better than last Friday’s scrimmage and a poor practice session Tuesday. “We made some big plays, although we had some key players out with injuries and sickness,” the Mustangs’ coach said after the scrimmage.

He said some players stepped into positions they had not played before, due to the absences, and played well.

Although Baylor came out on top in touchdown production, it was a highly competitive scrimmage. Three of the Raiders’ six touchdowns were by the team’s freshmen late in the evening.

Walker Valley got two touchdowns, one by its varsity and a late score from its freshmen.

Lockerby was pleased with the balance of his offense, which threw and rushed the football equally well.

Bruising runners Kelvin Wells and Austin Melton had quality rushes in the game, Wells getting the Mustangs’ touchdown on a short run through the right side of the Baylor defense to tie the score early at 7-7. Melton displayed his power on some big runs over the left side of the Raiders’ defense.

Walker Valley was also impressive with its two-quarterback passing tandem. Garrett Wallace, who is expected to be the Mustangs’ starter behind center, made some big connections.

Logan Hindman, who was Walker Valley’s quarterback last season when he was healthy, will be used in multiple positions this year. He can play quarterback, is a talented pass receiver and is also a regular in the Mustangs’ defensive secondary.

Wallace hooked up with Hindman for a 47-yard pass play midway through Wednesday’s scrimmage.

Lockerby was also pleased with his team’s defensive play, especially with the absence of starting linebackers. “A lot of guys stepped up tonight,” he said.

Offensive line coach Todd Burkhart said his unit also stepped up with some impressive plays. He mentioned Clay Walters, Alexander Hooper, Frankie Snyder and Carlton Hunter with big plays in the interior against Baylor’s Raiders.

Although the Baylor varsity outscored the Mustangs 3 to 1 for the night, the competition was very even. There was very little difference in final statistics. Two lost fumbles deep in Baylor territory proved to be the offensive difference in he scrimmage.

Baylor scored first in Wednesday’s scrimmage when its tailback got loose for a 50-yard run to the end zone.

Walker Valley came right back with a touchdown of its own.

Wells picked up 29 yards on two carries from the Mustangs’ 30 to get the home team across the 50. Hindman hit a pass and Wells and Melton shared rushing duties to get the ball to the Baylor two.

Wells was stopped on first down, but then blasted over the right side for the score. Aidan Flock hit the conversion kick as it glanced off the right upright.

Walker Valley came right back with a second drive into Baylor territory, but this march failed when Hindman was sacked on fourth down.

Baylor regained the lead on a TD catch down the right sideline when the receiver went high over a Walker Valley defender for the score.

The Mustangs appeared ready to tie the score again after the 47-yard throw from Wallace to Hindman, but a fumble killed the threat.

The Red Raiders then took a 21-7 advantage on the longest drive of the night. Baylor had 13 plays and four first downs, scoring on a run over the left side of the Mustangs’ defense.

Melton got Walker Valley off and running on its next possession with a 29-yard run, and Wells got loose for nine yards to get the Mustangs back in Baylor territory. This threat also vanished on a fumble.

The teams ran freshmen into the scrimmage and Baylor piled up three additional scores. Walker Valley’s freshmen scored the final touchdown of the night when quarterback Justin Cook hit receiver Elijah Haynie for a long score.

The Mustangs will be back in action late Saturday night in the jamboree at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. Walker Valley faces Tyner at 9:30 p.m.