By Audrey Carrico

NKyTribune sports reporter

Gary Pence’s first season as Walton-Verona’s head football coach was a wild ride. He was hired a few weeks before summer practice began and the team got off to a 1-5 start. The Bearcats then won four in a row and qualified for the Class 2A playoffs, but they were knocked off in the first round.

After all that, Pence got time to settle into his first head coaching job and he’s looking forward to another season with the Bearcats.

“This is the first year I’ve been able to have a full offseason with the players,” Pence said. “I didn’t assume the position until last June. It definitely took time for us as a team to get in sync and even learn each other’s names.”

The Bearcats entered last season without starting quarterback Avery Howe, who return

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