Transfers provide big lift for South Walton

By ADAM PRUIETT

Florida Freedom Newspapers
(850) 315-4421 | adamp@nwfdailynews.com

SANTA ROSA BEACH - Ask David Bazylak about the impact of several transfers on the South Walton football team, and he instantly defers to the Seahawks lifers.

"I've got to give it to a bunch of those boys who have been here longer than us," said Bazylak, who transferred to South Walton from Fort Walton Beach. "They've really wanted this (success) so long and they haven't been able to get it. The transfers have helped, but mostly it's the guys that have been here for a while working their butts off just to get where they wanted to be."

But it's fair to say that while the veteran Seahawks built the foundation for the team's breakout season, the transfers have helped the team rise toward a ceiling that most never thought was possible.

"Usually we have better kids that transfer out than transfer in," South Walton coach David Barron said.

Not this year.

South Walton (9-2), which will play host Friday to Tallahassee's Florida High (10-1) in the Class 2B regional finals, received several new additions this season that have made critical contributions to a program that captured its first-ever district title and playoff victory.

Three transfers came from Fort Walton Beach in Bazylak, quarterback Cody Adams and defensive back Jon Conner. Fullback/defensive end Rance Hill arrived from Louisiana and defensive lineman Quinston Morris came from Texas.

One big thing the five impact transfers have in common is they all came from bigger, established programs that expected to be playing come playoff time.

"They know what the postseason is all about," Barron said. "They know what Day 1 of the new season is about, because that's what you're working for is the postseason."

Barron said the initial impact of the new faces can't be understated. By increasing the team's numbers, South Walton was finally able to have separate JV and varsity squads.

And then there's the production. Heading into the team's first-round playoff victory over Bozeman, Bazylak was leading the team in catches (20), receiving yards (365) and touchdowns (13) and was second in rushing yards (565). He also nailed 29 of his 32 extra-point attempts and 5-of-6 on field-goal tries.

Adams has combined with Dennis Smith to make South Walton's two-quarterback system flourish. He's thrown for 659 yards with 11 touchdowns against three interceptions.

Hill has rushed for 131 yards and made a difference on defense, too, where he's registered a team-high 3.5 sacks. Morris has gained a reputation for being a playmaker on defense, and Conner has played a key role on special teams.

Iron man football isn't a thing of the past at South Walton, but this season two-way players haven't been as prevalent.

"We have been able to play more people one way this year than ever before," Barron said.

But for as much positives that the transfers have brought to the team, it still all goes back to the program's veterans.

"As soon as I walked in here," Conner said, "it was like I knew these guys from the beginning. There was no weirdness. They embraced us and it was just like a brotherhood."