The Walker Valley baseball team will honor a courageous classmate Tuesday evening, dedicating their District 5-AAA home game against McMinn County to him and allowing others to express their support for the battle he is facing.

Mason Cobble is a 16-year-old sophomore at the school. He is a witty, level-headed kid, with a kind heart and a very sweet soul.

He's an animal lover, especially his German Shephard "Huck Cobble."

Mason has always been the optimist of the family.

His hobby is cooking, as he has become quite a good cook. He has been asked many times if he would like to be a chef. He just nods and says "No, I just like to cook, experiment with food, but mostly just cook for others."

He is also quite the prankster, who loves to make people laugh. 

Mason’s parents are both in the profession of helping others; his dad, Richard, is a deputy with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office. His mom, Ginger, is a nurse at Tennova Hospital in Cleveland. So, it comes as no surprise Mason has spent his summers volunteering and helping at the YMCA with concessions and children’s activities.

Not long ago, Mason and his family were given the news they had a challenging fight ahead of them as he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

In the last couple of months, Mason and his family have traveled to Texas, as well as other areas in Tennessee for second opinions and consultations. They have now entered into the treatment phase.

Mason's journey began Friday morning, Feb. 22. With school out for weather concerns, Mason’s mother, as she leaving for work, heard Mason gasping for air in the middle of a full blown seizure.

He had never had a seizure prior to that morning. In fact, Mason has always been perfectly healthy. He was taken by ambulance to a Tennova, where it was determined he had a large mass on his brain.

Mason was immediately sent to Children's Hospital at Baroness Erlanger, in Chattanooga, for further treatment. He was in surgery first thing the next morning.

The mass was successfully removed and the wait for test results began. Finally, after three days of waiting, the news was not what everyone had hoped for — the tumor was malignant.

On March 19, Mason and his parents went to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, for a second opinion.

He began his scheduled treatment Proton Radiation Therapy on March 25, in Knoxville. The process requires five days a week treatment for six consecutive weeks, along with chemotherapy.

Along with promising medical recommendations, many family members, friends and strangers continue to call, visit, comment, text, and post their support. 

With all of those who have and will continue praying, and with their strong faith in God, Mason and his family will proudly walk this journey together in God’s gracious hands.

The family wishes to thank everyone so very much for walking this journey with them under the promise of Jeremiah 29:11.

On Tuesday, the Walker Valley baseball family will honor Mason, giving friends, family and supporters an opportunity to honor and support one of Walker Valley’s very own.

Junior varsity baseball will begin at 4 p.m., with varsity scheduled for 7.

Mason travels to Knoxville every weekday to undergo proton therapy and chemotherapy. There will be a special place for fans to place a donation in order to support this incredibly courageous young man and his family during this time. There will also be T-shirts available that support Mason.

Everyone is invited to come out to show support for Mustang warrior, Mason Cobble. 

To read more about Mason's story and follow his journey, visit Mason's Facebook page, Team Mason Strong.