Roswell rallies to top Walton

When Walton regained the lead with 5:17 left in the game on a 21-yard Andre Walkine run, the Raiders (6-3, 5-3) looked like they might pull the upset over their region rival.

But the Hornets wasted no time providing an answer, going 61 yards in three plays to even the score for the second time.

On the ensuing drive, Walton quarterback Joey Windler (20-of-33, 328 yards, 2 touchdowns) fumbled on a pitch play, setting Roswell up at the Walton 13-yard line.

Two Smith runs later, the Hornets were in the end zone to take their first lead of the game. Walton would drive to the Roswell 29 in an attempt to send the game to overtime, but the Hornets defense stiffened.

Roswell coach Leo Baker said games like these, where it’s tightly contested and rain drizzles throughout, are ones that fit Smith’s style perfectly.

“He’s a great runner; he’s a hard runner. He’s tailor-made for this kind of soil,” Baker said. “He just kept getting stronger and stronger.”

His effort might not have had as much impact if not for the final play of the first half, which changed the complexion of the game.

Walton was lining up for a 35-yard field goal that would have extended its early lead to 17-0 at halftime, and the Raiders were set to get the ball first to begin the third quarter.

The snap bounced to the holder, though, and the attempted kick was blocked and scooped up and returned 80 yards by Roswell’s Steven Salinas for the Hornets’ first score.

The 10-point swing altered the feel of the game and gave Roswell some life going into the final 24 minutes.

“That was huge,” Baker said. “That was a big momentum change because they were about to get 3 points, and we ended up with 7.”