Team preview: Walton
By ADAM PRUIETT
adamp@nwfdailynews.com
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS - At first glance, the Walton football team appears loaded.
For starters, running back/linebacker Issac Jackson, a senior who is the reigning Daily News small school Player of the Year, is back along with All-Area quarterback and three-year starter Tarrell Bramlet, another senior.
Also returning is sophomore defensive end Deon Lee, the small school Defensive Lineman of the Year, and All-Area selections Austin Wilson, a senior who is converting from defensive end to linebacker, senior Deron Hogans (wide receiver/defensive back), junior Marrion Holmes (defensive line/running back) and senior John Langford, who's switching to tight end from the offensive line and will also play linebacker.
While that's a great start, it can't be forgotten that Walton lost 20 seniors off an 8-2 team to graduation.
"We've got to figure out who we can count on to give us depth in some positions that may not show up in the newspaper every day but are just as critical as the quarterback position or the running back position," Walton coach Lenny Jankowski said.
Despite a lineup brimming with standouts, the Braves have question marks. The only returning starter on the offensive line is senior Kelby Willcox, and the Braves are almost entirely unproven at wide receiver.
Jankowski isn't looking for breakout stars to fill gaps, just dependable players.
"They don't need to be in the forefront," he said. "They can kind of be role players, and being a role player is a lot easier than being ‘The Guy.' "
Walton has a pair of those in Jackson, who rushed for 1,321 yards and 14 touchdowns, and Bramlet, who threw for 1,848 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Backing up Bramlet are a pair of sophomores, Liam Miller and Steven Myrick. Aside from Jackson, potential ballcarriers include Holmes, juniors Devron Ford and Justin Dorsey, and promising freshman Tray Williams.
How the offensive line will do creating room for them is the unknown. Willcox is the stabilizer at center and surrounding him are senior guard Justin Scott, sophomore guard Shaquille Huffman, junior tackle Chris Gladney and Wilson at the other tackle.
Adding depth will be seniors Mario Roehr and Andrew Ealum, juniors Aaron Ealum and Ryan Ealum, and freshman Cody Yates.
"With (Willcox) going to center, our offensive line will be bigger, stronger and hopefully more physical than our line last year. But the proof will be in the pudding," Jankowski said.
Hogans is the only receiver with playing time under his belt. Langford, Williams, junior Jamal Rohlac and sophomores John Querisma and Quamille Williams are other pass-catching options.
"For us to be as successful as we'd like to be, that group needs to be a strength instead of a potential weakness," Jankowski said.
Many of the same faces will dot the defense, which has experience in all areas. Hogans and senior William Brock return at the safety spots in the secondary.
Senior D'Von Campbell is set for one cornerback while Querisma, Quamille Williams and Ford are eying the other starting spot. Bramlet, Tray Williams and juniors Reacco Jackson and Dionta Woods are other options in the defensive backfield.
Jackson is back at one linebacker and while Wilson and Langford are new to the position, they're both seasoned football players. Dorsey, Myrick, Aaron Ealum and freshman Josh Scott join the linebacking corps.
Lee will anchor the defensive line and Holmes adds experience. Roehr, Chris Gladney, Justin Scott and freshman Dalvon Stuckey are all expected to contribute along with Andrew Ealum and Yates.
Walton will be dedicating the season to Logan Alford, who would have been a senior, and Lucas Alford, a former player. The brothers drowned this summer while fishing together.
"(Logan's) a guy that was very popular in our locker room, a two-way starter, a guy that is going to be sorely missed. You can't hide from that," Jankowski said. "There's still no easy words to say."
