🏈 The Indians Battled to the Final Whistle, Our Neighbors Went 4-for-4, and Every Child Gets a Free Book Friday

Or: Tip Your Cap, Rest Up This Weekend, and Circle Next Friday Twice

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Saturday, October 24, 2026

Good Saturday morning. There’s a little fog in the low places again, but the National Weather Service says it’ll be sunny with a high near 75 and calm wind. That’s porch weather.

A Saturday after a road game is like the morning after a big family supper. The dishes are done, the stories are still being told, and somebody’s already asking what’s for next time. So here’s what happened, and what’s next.

Here’s the roundup: The Indians lost 35-23 at Walker Valley, but they scored 13 points in the last few minutes and made the Mustangs earn it. The Mustangs’ coach called Sequatchie County “a really good football team.” Our neighbors had a big night: Bledsoe County, Marion County, South Pittsburg and Whitwell all won. Next Friday, Oct. 30, is a two-for-one: the home finale against Giles County and the library’s Fall Festival, where every child and teen can pick a free book.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Final: Walker Valley 35, Sequatchie County 23. The Indians are now 5-4.
• Neighbors: Bledsoe 38, Huntland 35. Marion County 42, Cascade 7. South Pittsburg 71, Copper Basin 8. Whitwell beat Jo Byrns.
• Next Friday, Oct. 30: Giles County at Sequatchie County, the last regular-season game. Confirm the kickoff time before you go.
• Free books: Library Fall Festival, Fri., Oct. 30, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., 227 Cherry St. The child or teen needs to be there.
• Red Ribbon Week runs through Sat., Oct. 31, which is also Halloween.
• Pin these: Clocks fall back Sun., Nov. 1. TN Promise is due Mon., Nov. 2, the same night as the school board’s regular meeting.
• Weather: Sunny and near 75 today through Tuesday. Friday looks mostly sunny, near 77.

🏈 Indians Fall 35-23 in Cleveland, but Nobody Quit

Sequatchie County struck first. Jayden Leroy kicked a 25-yard field goal midway through the first quarter for a 3-0 lead. Then Walker Valley, now 8-1, put together a big second quarter and led 28-10 at the half, according to Chattanoogan.com’s game story. The Indians lost three fumbles, and the Mustangs took advantage.

Here’s the part worth remembering. Down 35-10 late, the Indians kept swinging. Quarterback Hunter Minton ran in two touchdowns in the final two minutes, and the Indians recovered an onside kick in between. That cut it to 35-23. Minton finished with 241 passing yards. Brooks McIntyre caught five passes for 92 yards, Gowan Brown caught a touchdown pass, and Kason Hicks ran for 60 yards.

Walker Valley coach Drew Akins told Chattanoogan.com, “That (Sequatchie) is a really good football team. They are going to win a lot of games.” He also praised Minton’s toughness.

What it means for you: Losing to a bigger, 8-1 school isn’t a bad night’s work, especially when your boys are still fighting with a minute left. It’s like a garden that got hit by a late frost but still came back green. The Indians are 5-4 with one regular-season game to go. If you see a player at church or the grocery store this weekend, a simple “proud of how y’all finished” goes a long way.

👉 Read more (Chattanoogan.com: Walker Valley Rides Into Region 3-5A Title Game With 35-23 Win Over Sequatchie Co.)

🏆 A Good Friday Night for the Neighbors

Up and down the Valley, our neighbors had a winning night, according to the Times Free Press scoreboard:

• Bledsoe County 38, Huntland 35. A close one on the road. MaxPreps says the Warriors are now 7-2.
• Marion County 42, Cascade 7.
• South Pittsburg 71, Copper Basin 8.
• Whitwell beat Jo Byrns. NewsChannel 9 and Local 3 list the score as 35-28.

What it means for you: If you’ve got grandkids, cousins or church friends in Pikeville, Jasper, South Pittsburg or Whitwell, today’s a good day to send a “congratulations” text. Good news travels faster than the mail, and it lands softer too.

👉 Read more (Times Free Press: Final scores from Friday’s Chattanooga-area prep football games)

🏠 Next Friday: The Home Finale With Giles County

The regular season ends at home on Friday, Oct. 30, when Giles County comes to Dunlap. MaxPreps says the Indians “will take on Giles County at 8:00 p.m. on Friday,” and other game listings show 8 p.m., too. Some websites show times in Eastern, though, and the school’s own calendar doesn’t list a time yet. Homecoming kicked off at 7 p.m. our time, so please double-check the kickoff time with the school or its social media before you head out.

What it means for you: It’s the last regular-season chance to see these players at home. The forecast looks kind: mostly sunny with a high near 77 on Friday. Bring a light jacket for after dark, and come early to find a good seat.

👉 Read more (MaxPreps: Game recap and what’s next)

📚 Free-Book Friday at the Library, Plus Halloween Weekend

The Sequatchie County Public Library holds its Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 227 Cherry Street in Dunlap. According to the library, every child and teen who visits can choose a free book. The child or teen needs to be there to pick it out. There will be games through 4:30, and the free books are available until 5 p.m.

It’s also Red Ribbon Week, the national drug-prevention campaign that schools mark from Oct. 23 to 31. This year’s theme is “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.” And Red Ribbon Week ends on Halloween, which falls on Saturday this year. Dunlap.Today’s family calendar lists a few free options close to home:

• Today, Sat., Oct. 24, 3–5 p.m.: Great Pumpkin Festival at Dunlap United Methodist Church, 1958 Main St.
• Fri., Oct. 30, 5–8 p.m.: Free Trunk or Treat at White Oak Ranch, 568 Reynolds Road.
• Sat., Oct. 31, 5–7 p.m.: Hot Rod Halloween Trunk-or-Treat on Cherry Street.

What it means for you: Friday is a busy day, so plan it like a road trip with good stops. After school, swing by the library for a free book, and then head to the trunk-or-treat or the ballgame. A new book in a child’s hands is a treat that lasts long after the candy’s gone.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie County Public Library)

🗓️ Dates to Pin — Plus One Board Result Still to Come

• Today, Sat., Oct. 24: Great Pumpkin Festival, Dunlap UMC, 3–5 p.m.
• Tue., Oct. 27: Sequatchie County school board working session.
• Wed., Oct. 28: The state’s TISA Review Committee meets in Nashville. This is statewide, not local. TISA is Tennessee’s school funding formula.
• Fri., Oct. 30: Library Fall Festival and free books, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat at White Oak Ranch, 5–8 p.m. Giles County at Sequatchie County (confirm kickoff).
• Sat., Oct. 31: Halloween and the last day of Red Ribbon Week. Hot Rod Halloween on Cherry Street, 5–7 p.m.
• Sun., Nov. 1: Clocks fall back one hour.
• Mon., Nov. 2: TN Promise deadline for seniors, and the Sequatchie County school board’s regular meeting at the central office on Cordell Lane.
• Mon., Nov. 9, 3 p.m.: Special education consultation for private-school and homeschool families at the Sequatchie County Board of Education.

The Marion County Board of Education met Thursday in Jasper. A new teacher agreement for 2026 to 2029 and a five-year bus contract were on its agenda. As of this morning, we haven’t seen the results reported. We’ll pass them along once they’re posted.

What it means for you: If you only write down two things, make them Nov. 1, clocks back, and Nov. 2, TN Promise due.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Board of Education: October meetings calendar)

🌤️ Sunshine All the Way Through Tuesday

The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap calls for sunny skies and a high near 75 today, Sunday and Monday, with calm wind. Nights drop to the mid-40s. Tuesday is mostly sunny and near 75. Wednesday turns partly sunny, near 73. Thursday is sunny, near 76, and Friday is mostly sunny, near 77.

What it means for you: This is a fine weekend to get outside with the kids: rake a leaf pile, take a walk or stop by the pumpkin festival. On school mornings, fog may linger in the low spots. Leave a few minutes early and give the school bus plenty of room.

👉 Read more (NWS: Dunlap point forecast)

✅ Your Saturday Fridge Checklist

• ✅ Final: Walker Valley 35, Sequatchie County 23. Indians are 5-4.
• ✅ Send a “congratulations” to friends in Bledsoe, Marion, South Pittsburg and Whitwell.
• ✅ Today: Great Pumpkin Festival, Dunlap UMC, 3–5 p.m.
• ✅ Fri., Oct. 30: free book for every child and teen at the library, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Bring the kids along.
• ✅ Fri., Oct. 30: home finale vs. Giles County. Check the kickoff time first.
• ✅ Red Ribbon Week through Oct. 31: ask a grandchild, “Who’s your hero?”
• ✅ Clocks fall back Sun., Nov. 1.
• ✅ Seniors: TN Promise by Mon., Nov. 2.

Practical rule: Cheer for effort, not just the scoreboard, and put a book in a child’s hands every chance you get.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English School Glossary

• Onside kick: A short kickoff the kicking team tries to get back. Teams that are behind late in a game often try one.
• Non-region game: A game that doesn’t count in the region standings. It still counts in a team’s overall record.
• Regular-season finale: The last scheduled game before the playoffs begin.
• Fumbles lost: Times a team dropped the ball and the other team recovered it.
• Red Ribbon Week: A national drug-prevention campaign that schools observe Oct. 23–31 each year.
• TN Promise: A Tennessee program that helps graduating seniors attend community college or a TCAT tuition-free. The application is due Nov. 2.
• TISA: Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, the state’s formula for funding public schools.
• Working session: A school board meeting for discussion and planning. Votes usually happen at the regular meeting.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the Sequatchie County game?

Walker Valley won 35-23 on Friday, Oct. 23, in Cleveland. Sequatchie County is now 5-4, and Walker Valley is 8-1.

Did the Indians make it close?

Yes. Down 35-10 in the fourth quarter, the Indians scored two late touchdowns and recovered an onside kick, according to Chattanoogan.com.

When is the next Sequatchie County football game?

Friday, Oct. 30, at home against Giles County. MaxPreps lists 8 p.m., but please confirm the kickoff time with the school before you go.

How did our neighbors do Friday night?

Bledsoe County beat Huntland 38-35, Marion County beat Cascade 42-7, South Pittsburg beat Copper Basin 71-8, and Whitwell beat Jo Byrns.

How does my child get a free book at the library?

Come to the Sequatchie County Public Library Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 30, at 227 Cherry Street. The library says every child and teen who visits can choose a free book, and the child or teen must be present.

When do clocks fall back?

Sunday, Nov. 1. Set clocks back one hour before bed Saturday night.

Has Marion County posted results from Thursday’s school board meeting?

We hadn’t seen results reported as of Saturday morning. We’ll share them once they’re posted.

🔗 Other Resources

• Chattanoogan.com: Walker Valley 35, Sequatchie County 23 game story
• MaxPreps: Sequatchie County recap
• Times Free Press: Friday’s final scores
• NewsChannel 9: Sideline Spotlight scores
• Local 3: FNF3 Scoreboard
• MaxPreps: Bledsoe County edges Huntland
• Sequatchie County Public Library
• Dunlap.Today: Family Halloween calendar
• Red Ribbon Campaign: 2026 theme
• TN Promise overview (collegefortn.org)
• Sequatchie County Schools: Board agendas
• Marion County: School Board Meeting, Oct. 22
• NWS Dunlap point forecast

🏠 Keep Learning — Stay Calm

A hard-fought loss the boys never quit on, a winning night for our neighbors, a free book waiting for every child and a week of sunshine. That’s a good Saturday. Nothing here calls for worry. Rest up, pin the dates, and get ready to fill the home stands one more time.

For more calm, practical Valley news you can use, keep reading Dunlap.Today.