If Walton’s Region 3-7A opener against struggling Hillgrove was a tuneup for the tougher challenges down the road, the Raiders can rest easy in the knowledge that they’re firing on all cylinders.
The sixth-ranked Raiders (4-1, 1-0) put up 566 yards of total offense and got touchdowns from six different players Friday in their 52-35 victory over Hillgrove.
Walton scored on its first offensive play in both halves and never gave up the lead after Zak Roszman broke a 7-7 tie with a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 4:29 remaining in the first quarter.
“We had some mighty tall goals, and I think we hit ‘em all on offense, or we were darn near close,” Walton coach Daniel Brunner said. “We’ve still got a lot of things we’ve got to clean up - too many penalties, too many missed assignments on defense - but all in all it was a really good team game from all phases. I’m just excited where we’re at right now. We’ve got to get back to work, but I’m very excited to come out of this with a win.”
Sutton Smith scored touchdowns on runs of 38 and 7 yards and finished with 92 rushing yards on nine carries. He was one of four Raiders with at least 58 yards rushing, a list that included Braylen Stokes (99 yards and a touchdown on six carries), Jeremy Hecklinski (72 yards on four carries) and Austin Williams (58 yards on 13 second-half carries).
Rozsman and Hecklinski combined for 230 yards and three touchdowns passing. Rozsman was 6-for-8 for 157 yards and a touchdown, and Hecklinski was 4-of-7 for 73 yards and two scores.
Rozsman got things going quickly in the first quarter. On the first play after Walton took over at its 33-yard line following a Hillgrove punt near midfield, Rozsman threw to a wide-open Nate Lyons for a 67-yard touchdown.
Hecklinski threw second-half touchdown passes of 13 yards to Hunter Teal and 19 yards to Marcus Allen and set up a second-quarter score with a 52-yard run.
“We thought we had some things on them on the deep shots, and they worked out for us,” Brunner said. “It was great plays by our quarterbacks and great plays by our receivers. Obviously, the offensive line did a great job in the run game and the passing game. Our quarterbacks stayed pretty clean all night long. [Hillgrove] is a good team. They’re getting better each week, and they’re a dangerous bunch. I’m just proud of our guys.”
Hillgrove, which fell to 1-5 for the first time in the program’s 16-year history, also had a big night offensively. The Hawks moved the ball effectively, forced into a three-and-out on just two of their nine possessions, and finished with 440 yards. However, the Hawks couldn’t keep up with Walton, which built the lead to 52-21 before Hillgrove scored two touchdowns in the game’s final five minutes.
The Hawks had three players with at least 58 rushing yards - Teonte Reed with 77 on 12 carries, Chase McCravy with 60 on 11 carries, and Sean Cooper with 58 on six carries. McCravy was 16-of-25 passing for 236 yards.
Next week, Walton will host third-ranked North Cobb in a game that ultimately could decide the Region 3 championship. The Raiders also have games remaining against Marietta, which has spent time in the top 10 this season; North Paulding, which defeated Marietta on Friday; and Harrison, a state champion as recently as two seasons ago.
“I really don’t think we’ve got an off week in the region,” Brunner said. “I think every team’s got a chance. We’ve got a tall task next week. [North Cobb] has got one of the better teams I’ve seen in high school football. We’re going to go to work tomorrow, put this one to bed, and start working on those guys. We’re just trying to be 1-0 every week.”
Walton - 14-17-14-7 - 52
Hillgrove - 7-7-7-14 - 35
First quarter
W - Nate Lyons 67 pass from Zak Rozsman (Lucien Michelin kick), 8:30
H - Isaiah Rogers 72 pass from Chase McCravy (Zach Wieder kick), 7:39
W - Rozsman 1 run (Michelin kick), 4:29
Second quarter
W - Sutton Smith 38 run (kick blocked), 8:46
H - Teonte Reed 22 run (Wieder kick), 4:31
W - Smith 7 run (Smith run), 2:51
W - Michelin 23 field goal, 0:00
Third quarter
W - Braylen Stokes 80 run (Michelin kick), 11:47
W - Hunter Teal 13 pass from Jeremy Hecklinski (Michelin kick), 7:25
H - Cameron Loyd 10 pass from McCravy (Wieder kick), 4:34
Fourth quarter
W - Marcus Allen 19 pass from Hecklinski (Michelin kick), 9:50
H - Rogers 3 pass from McCravy (Wieder kick), 4:49
H - Sean Cooper 4 run (Wieder kick), 1:35
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