It’s never fun losing in a state championship game. And it is sometimes difficult to rebuild a winning team after losing a large graduating class featuring many pieces of the offensive and defensive puzzles.
But since falling to Milton 31-21 in the last-ever Class 7A state championship game last season before dropping down to the new highest class — 6A — this year, Walton had its eyes set on the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic matchup against Brookwood.
And after outlasting the Broncos 30-21 in the opening game of the day at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Raiders’ trek toward another deep postseason run is underway.
“I’m just so proud of the guys, man,” said Walton head coach Daniel Brunner. “We made some young mistakes, but we are resilient.”
Brookwood opened the scoring on a short run from CJ Franklin early in the second quarter but Walton answered on a short run from Lucas Farrington with 9:56 left in the second half to tied the game. The Raiders then scored three unanswered times – two touchdowns and a safety – to build a 23-7 lead entering halftime.
“I am just so proud of Kaeden Gilstrap,” Brunner said of his senior quarterback. “He is what high school football should be.”
Gilstrap, who finished 8-of-19 passing for 142 yards and two touchdowns, connected with Christian Ward on a 59 yarder and, after the safety got the Raiders the ball back, to Alex Ward on a 27-yarder.
Brookwood climbed back into the game on two touchdown runs from Brayden Tyson – a one-yard run with 8:36 left in the third quarter and a 43-yard run with 5:40 left to make it a 23-21 deficit.
“Recapture the momentum,” Brunner said he told his team during that Brookwood rally. “Be resilient.”
With 50 seconds left in the third quarter, Farrington scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to cap a 10-play, 85-yard drive which ate 4:43 off the clock to extend the lead to its final tally.
“I am just super proud of the guys,” Brunner reaffirmed.
Farrington had 15 carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders. Four receivers combined for 142 yards with Christian Ward leading with two receptions for 66 yards and Alex Ward grabbing one catch for 27 yards. Jake Thorner anchored the Walton defense with 10 tackles, seven solo, one tackle for loss and one sack.
Franklin was 10-of-23 passing for 71 yards to lead Brookwood. Tyson had 23 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns and Franklin made 16 carries for 101 yards and one touchdown.
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