South Walton looks for eighth victory in district finale

SANTA ROSA BEACH — The winning has stayed the same.

But how it’s happened this season may be even more fulfilling to South Walton coach David Barron than the Seahawks’ historic march to their first district title a year ago.

For starters, the 2008 squad captured its unprecedented championship in a five-team district by going 3-1 and winning a three-team shootout. This year’s edition is competing in an expansive nine-team district, making the Seahawks’ 6-1 mark in league play heading into Friday’s district finale against visiting Vernon (4-3, 3-3) perhaps even more commendable.

“This year it’s been for real every week,” said Barron, referring to a schedule that’s lined with eight consecutive league games, “and that’s made it a lot different.”

So has the style of the wins.

In just one season, South Walton (7-1 overall) has transformed from being a team almost entirely dependent on its offense to a group that’s better known now for shrewd defense. Only twice has the unit yielded more than 12 points in a game.

“I think everybody’s focused on one goal, and that’s shutting the other team down,” defensive end Zack Parker said. “We’re just coming up with big plays when we need them. That’s what defense is all about.”

That formidable defense and an offense that’s still capable of scoring 30 points or more any given Friday will look to put the finishing touch on their district slate against Vernon, which has lost three of its last four games.

While the playoffs are an afterthought at this point for the Seahawks, whose only loss came to district-leading Freeport, there’s still incentive to win. Namely, South Walton is one victory shy of matching last year’s regular-season win total.

“That’s what a lot of us want to do … and we don’t like losing,” running back Jay Gatto said.