👑 A Hard-Fought Finish for the Lady Indians, a Homecoming Queen Crowned, and Friday Football You Can Watch From the Couch

Or: Three Overtimes, One Crown, and a Porch-Light Kind of Friday Night

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, the middle of the school week, and there’s a little fog in the low spots this morning. It should burn off by about 8.

Last night the Lady Indians played about as long as a soccer game can go. They came up short, but they finished a season worth framing. Think of it like a good quilt: one loose thread at the end doesn’t change how warm the whole thing is.

Here’s what’s on the list: The Lady Indians’ season ended with a 3-1 loss at CSLA after three overtime periods, finishing 14-3-1 and first in District 4’s regular season. Senior Kenzie Hensley was crowned 2026 SCHS homecoming queen. On Friday, the Indians (5-3) play at Walker Valley at 6 p.m. our time, and you can stream it free from NewsChannel 9. It’s Day 3 of School Bus Safety Week, with morning fog to watch for. Red Ribbon Week starts Friday. And the weather? Sunny, again, once the fog lifts.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Soccer: Lady Indians lost 3-1 at CSLA after three overtimes. Final record: 14-3-1.
• Homecoming queen: Senior Kenzie Hensley, crowned Oct. 16.
• Friday football: Indians at Walker Valley, 7 p.m. Eastern = 6 p.m. Central.
• Can’t make the drive? Watch at chattanoogacw.com or on NewsChannel 9’s YouTube.
• Bus stops: Patchy fog until about 8 a.m. today and Thursday. Headlights on, speed down.
• Seniors: ACT Event 2 online ends Fri., Oct. 23. TN Promise due Nov. 2.
• Weather: Sunny through the weekend. Highs 72–76, Friday-night low near 44.

⚽ Three Overtimes, One Proud Season: Hats Off to the Lady Indians

The Lady Indians gave CSLA everything they had last night. MaxPreps shows the game scoreless through two halves and two overtime periods. It was decided in the third overtime, and the final went to CSLA, 3-1. The TSSAA region bracket lists the same result.

That ends a fine season. MaxPreps lists Sequatchie County at 14-3-1, with a 4-0 record and first place in District 4 regular-season play. The girls scored 74 goals and allowed only 13 all fall. Their only three losses: 1-0 at Bradley Central, 4-3 to CSAS in the district tournament, and last night’s long one at CSLA.

The region keeps going without us. TSSAA lists CSLA vs. CSAS in the region final on Thursday, Oct. 22. So the two teams that edged our girls this month will play each other. That tells you what kind of company the Lady Indians were keeping.

What it means for you: If you see a soccer player in the grocery line or at church this week, tell her “great season.” That’s worth more than any score. Kids remember who showed up for them, win or lose.

👉 Read more (MaxPreps: Sequatchie County at CSLA box score)

👑 Kenzie Hensley Is Your 2026 Homecoming Queen

We promised we’d pass this along once it was posted. The Dunlap Tribune reports that Sequatchie County High School senior Kenzie Hensley was crowned 2026 homecoming queen on Oct. 16. She was escorted by her grandfather, Donny Worley.

The Tribune says the crowning capped a week of themed dress-up days, class competitions, a parade through Dunlap and the Indians’ football win over Community High School. That’s the 50-7 game. The paper has more homecoming photos and coverage on page 10 of this week’s print edition.

What it means for you: A grandfather walking his granddaughter onto the field is the kind of picture that belongs on the fridge. If you know the family, a card in the mail is a sweet touch. And if you want the photos, pick up this week’s Tribune.

👉 Read more (The Dunlap Tribune: Hensley is SCHS Homecoming Queen)

🏈 Friday: Indians at Walker Valley — In the Stands or on the Couch

The Indians (5-3) travel to Walker Valley in Cleveland on Friday, Oct. 23. The TSSAA schedule lists kickoff at 7 p.m. and notes all times are local. Cleveland is on Eastern time, so that’s 6 p.m. by Dunlap clocks.

Here’s the new part. NewsChannel 9 has picked this game for its Friday Night Rivals broadcast. The station says Walker Valley comes in at 7-1 overall and 5-0 in its district, and the Indians are 5-3 and 3-1 in district play. It’s a non-district game. NewsChannel 9 says you can watch at chattanoogacw.com or on its YouTube channel.

Tickets for the game are listed on GoFan. The Indians come home for the regular-season finale against Giles County on Friday, Oct. 30.

What it means for you: If the drive to Cleveland is too much, this one’s a porch-light game. Pull up a chair, ask a grandkid to put it on the TV or tablet, and cheer from home. Going in person? Leave Dunlap by about 5 and bring a jacket. It’ll be clear and in the 40s by the end.

👉 Read more (NewsChannel 9: Friday Night Rivals — Sequatchie County at Walker Valley)

🌫️ Bus Safety Week, Day 3: Foggy Mornings Call for Slow Wheels

The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap calls for patchy fog before 8 a.m. this morning and again Thursday morning. That’s right when the buses are rolling. Sequatchie County Schools says its drivers cover 36 routes and 880 miles every school day, and some of those roads dip into the foggy hollows.

It’s still National School Bus Safety Week, Oct. 19–23. The federal highway safety agency, NHTSA, reminds drivers that yellow flashing lights mean slow down and get ready to stop, and red flashing lights with the stop arm out mean stop and wait.

What it means for you: Fog is like a curtain. You can’t see what’s behind it, so treat every curve like a bus might be stopped there. Turn on your low-beam headlights, not the brights. Give yourself five extra minutes. And dress kids in something bright for the bus stop.

👉 Read more (NHTSA: School bus safety)

🗓️ Dates to Pin — Plus One Thing Still Not Posted

• Fri., Oct. 23: Red Ribbon Week begins nationwide and runs through Oct. 31. The national family photo contest is open through Nov. 2.
• Fri., Oct. 23: Last day of the ACT Event 2 online window for Tennessee’s free senior retake. Event 3 starts Oct. 27.
• Sat., Oct. 24, 3 p.m.: The Great Pumpkin Festival at 1958 Main Street, per the Chamber’s events calendar.
• Tue., Oct. 27: Sequatchie County school board working session, as listed on the Oct. 12 agenda.
• Sun., Nov. 1: Clocks fall back one hour.
• Mon., Nov. 2: TN Promise deadline, and the school board’s next regular meeting.

As of this morning, the district’s board page still shows only the Oct. 12 agenda, with no minutes posted. We’ll share the results once they’re up.

What it means for you: Seniors, Friday is the last day for the Event 2 window, so check with the SCHS counseling office today if you’re not sure where you stand. Everyone else, the pumpkin festival is a nice way to end the week.

👉 Read more (ACT: Tennessee senior retake dates)

☀️ Fog First, Then Sunshine All the Way to Sunday

The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap calls for patchy fog before 8 a.m., then sunny, with a high near 76 today. After that it’s sunny with highs of 74 Thursday, 75 Friday, 73 Saturday and 72 Sunday. Friday night will be clear with a low around 44, with calm winds.

What it means for you: Headlights for the drive to school, short sleeves by lunch, and a warm coat and blanket if you’re headed to Cleveland Friday night.

👉 Read more (NWS: Dunlap point forecast)

✅ Your Wednesday Fridge Checklist

• ✅ Tell a Lady Indian “great season.” 14-3-1 and first in the district.
• ✅ Congratulations to homecoming queen Kenzie Hensley. Photos are on page 10 of this week’s Tribune.
• ✅ Friday: Indians at Walker Valley, 6 p.m. our time. Leave by about 5.
• ✅ Staying home? Stream it at chattanoogacw.com or on NewsChannel 9’s YouTube.
• ✅ Foggy mornings today and Thursday: low beams on, five extra minutes.
• ✅ Bright jacket for the bus stop. Drivers: red lights = stop and wait.
• ✅ Seniors: ACT Event 2 ends Fri., Oct. 23. TN Promise by Nov. 2.
• ✅ Red Ribbon Week starts Friday. Watch the backpack for notes.
• ✅ Pin the Great Pumpkin Festival, Sat., Oct. 24, 3 p.m.

Practical rule: When fog’s in the hollow, slow down and follow — and when the season ends, say “well played” before you say anything else.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English School Glossary

• Overtime (soccer): Extra periods played when a game is tied after regular time. A playoff game keeps going until someone wins.
• Region semifinal: A playoff round after the district tournament. The winners play for the region title.
• TSSAA: The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, which runs high school sports playoffs in the state.
• Non-district game: A game against a team outside your district. It counts on the record but not in the district standings.
• Eastern vs. Central time: Chattanooga and Cleveland are on Eastern time, an hour ahead of Dunlap. A 7 p.m. Eastern game starts at 6 p.m. here.
• Streaming: Watching a game live over the internet on a TV, phone, tablet or computer.
• Stop arm: The red stop sign that swings out from the side of a school bus when children are getting on or off.
• Working session: A school board meeting for discussion, usually without final votes.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How did the Lady Indians’ playoff game end?

MaxPreps and the TSSAA bracket list a 3-1 win for CSLA. MaxPreps shows the game was decided in the third overtime period.

What was the Lady Indians’ final record?

MaxPreps lists 14-3-1 overall, with a 4-0 district record and first place in District 4.

Who is the 2026 SCHS homecoming queen?

Senior Kenzie Hensley, crowned Oct. 16 and escorted by her grandfather, Donny Worley, according to The Dunlap Tribune.

What time is Friday’s football game in our time?

Kickoff at Walker Valley is listed at 7 p.m. Eastern. That’s 6 p.m. Central, Dunlap time.

How can I watch Friday’s game from home?

NewsChannel 9 says its Friday Night Rivals broadcast can be watched at chattanoogacw.com or on the station’s YouTube channel.

When is the last regular-season home game?

Friday, Oct. 30, against Giles County, according to the TSSAA schedule.

Has the school board posted results from its Oct. 12 meeting?

Not as of this morning. The district’s board page shows the Oct. 12 agenda only. The next working session is Tuesday, Oct. 27.

When is TN Promise due?

Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, through the THEC Student Portal linked at collegefortn.org.

🔗 Other Resources

• MaxPreps: Lady Indians 2026 season schedule and results
• TSSAA: Division I Class A girls soccer region tournaments
• The Dunlap Tribune: Hensley is SCHS Homecoming Queen
• TSSAA: Sequatchie County football schedule
• NewsChannel 9: Friday Night Rivals preview
• GoFan: Walker Valley vs. Sequatchie County tickets
• NHTSA: School bus safety for parents and drivers
• Sequatchie County Schools
• Sequatchie County Schools: Board agendas
• Red Ribbon Campaign: photo contest
• Sequatchie County/Dunlap Chamber: Events
• TN Promise overview (collegefortn.org)
• NWS Dunlap point forecast

🏠 Keep Learning — Stay Calm

A long, brave game that didn’t go our way, a crown for a senior and her granddad, and a Friday game you can watch with your feet up. That’s a good middle-of-the-week. Nothing here calls for worry. Just ease off the gas in the fog, say “well played” to the girls, and pick a spot for Friday night.

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