Walton and Lassiter played perhaps the biggest game in East Cobb history in 2011, when Walton won 30-24 in the semifinals and advanced to play Grayson for the Class AAAAA title.
Three years later, they had hit bottom. That was last season, when Lasstier didn’t win a game, except for a forfeited victory against Walton. Meanwhile, Walton was 2-8, its worst finish since 1980. The Raiders’ on-field record was 5-5 (three forfeits), worst since 2006. Their official combined record was 3-17.
But Friday’s game at Raider Valley is like old times. Both are 2-0, and both are impressive in doing it.
Walton has crushed South Gwinnett (49-17) and Marietta (40-0). The Raiders also beat both last season (later overturned), but by only three and eight points.
Lassiter meanwhile has beaten 2014 region champions Kell and Hillgrove.
‘’Biggest difference is the fact that we are a year older, bigger, stronger and faster,’’ Lassiter coach Jep Irwin said. “We had a very productive offseason. Last year the defense was raw, young, inexperienced talent. Now they are older and more mature physically and as competitors.’’
Lassiter is still young on defense. Only four starters are seniors, and many reserves are juniors and sophomores.
Irwin also credited a new defensive coordinator, Chuck Goddard, who was Walton’s defensive coordinator on the 2011 state runner-up team. Goddard had spent the past three seasons as East Paulding’s head coach.
Lassiter allowed more than 40 points in eight of 10 games last season and gave up 31 and 39 in the other two. Lassiter has allowed 26 points total in two games this season.
Walton coach Mo Dixon said his team's improvement is largely about entering the second year under a new head coach. Dixon replaced Rocky Hidalgo, who is now at Glynn Academy.
''Last year was really a transition thing, combined with the drama of the forfeits,'' Dixon said. "It’s a people thing. We were learning each other, players, coaches, administrators, community. Changes and tweaks are tough on everyone. We all want to be comfortable.''
Walton also has good talent. The team is averaging 263.5 yards passing and 255.5 yards rushing. K.K. Brooks has rushed for 205 yards and four touchdowns. QB Addison Shoup’s top target is TE Sam Letton (13 catches, 201 yards, three touchdowns). LB Joey Goodman has two sacks and two blocked punts.
''We return a good group of seniors and spent the whole off season together,'' he said. "We made some staff additions and adjustments and we are as different as night and day now. A few position changes and additions and we are just a better unit because we all understand each other.
''There is much more to football…than the actual playing of the game...that’s what I believe, and now they understand what I’m wanting, and what we are demanding here…AND that is the a big difference…not a better plan, just that they understand it now. The off season is everything in football.''
Both teams are ranked in at least one poll, and the winner Friday stands a decent shot of cracking the AJC’s poll since two ranked teams (Dacula and Mill Creek) also are playing each other.
