South Walton, Walton to battle in a county clash

Walton football coach Lenny Jankowski isn’t trying to hide the fact that the Braves are a win away from a District 1-2B shootout for the right to go to the playoffs.

The catch? A win over South Walton today won’t get them there.

County bragging rights may be the only thing at stake at 7 tonight when the Braves (2-6) visit the Seahawks (8-1) to renew a rivalry that’s been shelved since 2006. South Walton has already locked up the runner-up playoff spot from District 1-A, and Walton needs Pensacola Catholic to beat Chipley tonight to force a three-team shootout with Marianna, Chipley and Walton, which would take place at 7 p.m. on Monday at Chipley.

“It’s no secret and it’s something our kids are excited about and we’re excited as a coaching staff to possibly get another opportunity and potentially move on in the playoffs,” Jankowski said. “It’s not a secret.”

It’s also no secret to Seahawks coach David Barron that Walton has outscored the Seahawks 190-52 in four wins over South Walton dating back to 2003.

But those were during the early years of South Walton’s program and only the team’s seniors remember the 47-7 loss in 2006. Perhaps more importantly, one more win would give South Walton its best single-season win total in program history, which the team set at eight just last season.

“That’s not something that’s going to be talked about a whole lot,” Barron said about the rivalry’s history. “We’re going in to make history and win our ninth game ever in the regular season and let these seniors leave a little legacy.”

The teams will likely showcase two of the area’s most impressive passing and rushing attacks. Walton junior quarterback Liam Miller has thrown for 2,133 yards — nearly double anyone else in the area — with 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Meanwhile, South Walton will lean on its ground game and the effective rushing trio of Chris Shock (879 yards), Jay Gatto (653) and Bryant Adams (609), which has combined for 16 rushing touchdowns this season.

Both teams have done all they can do in terms of playoff positioning, so tonight’s game will serve as an important playoff primer for South Walton and, if everything falls correctly, for Walton too.

“I think it’s a great rivalry,” Jankowski said. “As far as county schools playing each other, it creates talk in the community and especially them having some great seasons back to back, their coaches are doing a great job.”