Walton’s ability to play turnover-free football and a big performance from running back KK Brooks allowed the Raiders to coast to a 34-20 victory over the Lassiter Trojans on Friday at Raider Valley Stadium.
It was the Region 5-AAAAAA opener for both teams.
Brooks served as the workhorse for the Raiders (3-0, 1-0 in 5-AAAAAA), carrying the ball 29 times for 167 yards and three scores.
With the score at its final margin and 6:45 remaining, Walton took over and Brooks carried the ball nine times for 55 yards and the Raiders ran out the clock.
“It ended up being a runner’s game,” Raiders coach Mo Dixon said. “I think KK Brooks proved he’s the best back in this area. Tonight he really played his butt off.”
The Trojans (2-1, 0-1) stayed competitive throughout the game, but committed four turnovers, three of which led to 21 Walton points.
Lassiter forced Walton three-and-out on the game’s opening drive, but muffed the punt to give the Raiders the ball on the Trojans 40. The very next play was a flea flicker, with Addison Shoup connecting with Sam Letton for the touchdown.
Early in the second quarter, the Trojans lost a fumble and Walton scored three plays later on an 18-yard Brooks touchdown run, putting Walton ahead 20-6.
Lassiter opened the second half with a 13-play, four-minute drive covering 58 yards, but lost a fumble on Walton’s 3. The Raiders drove the ball 97 yards and scored on a Brooks 1-yard run to take a 27-6 lead.
The Trojans would hang around though. On the next play for scrimmage, Mason Waters broke a 71-yard touchdown run.
But once again, the Raiders responded with Brooks on the next drive. He broke a 20-yard run, then later scored on a 15-yard run in which he dragged four Trojans defenders the final 5 yards.
Shoup completed 9 of 18 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns and added 67 yards on the ground. Letton caught both touchdowns and finished with four catches for 150 yards.
Trojans quarterback Cooper Cross went 15 for 22 with 167 yards and a touchdown pass to Cole Taylor, who had six catches for 109 yards. Waters rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
Lassiter 6 0 7 7 - 20
Walton 13 7 14 0 – 34
W – Sam Letton 40 pass from Addison Shoup (Nicholas Orell-Jones kick)
L – Cole Taylor 35 pass from Cooper Cross (kick failed)
W – Letton 68 pass from Shoup (kick failed)
W – Brooks 18 run (Orell-Jones kick)
W – Brooks 1 run (Orell-Jones kick)
L – Mason Waters 71 run (Mitchell Wasson kick)
W – Brooks 15 run (Orell-Jones kick)
L – Waters 8 run (Wasson kick)
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- West Forsyth at Alpharetta: Alpharetta wins a close one
- Calhoun beats Carrollton in dramatic comeback
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- Find a score by team name or region
- Norcross 14, Milton 3 Game Recap
- South Gwinnett 20, Collins Hill 17 (OT) Game Recap
- Walker 21, King's Ridge 20 Game Recap
- Howard 30, Central-Macon 29 Game Recap
- More Game Recaps: Complete round up of Week 3 action
