Walton is 4-0, and the Braves have earned some attention.
- Fort Walton Beach became the first opponent this season to avoid a running clock against Walton, but the Vikings also proved to be the most impressive of the Braves’ four wins as Walton pulled away for a 47-24 victory.
The Braves opened the scoring on their first drive, ripping off big runs highlighted by Rodney Clinch carrying the ball to the 1-yard line before punching it in. A missed extra point made it 6-0.
Both teams traded stalled drives before Fort Walton Beach put together a possession highlighted by Lavin McDaniel connecting with Landon McKuhen for a field-flipping catch. McDaniel found McKuhen again for a touchdown, and the Vikings took a 7-6 lead.
Walton answered immediately. The Braves took the ensuing kickoff deep into Viking territory and needed just one play, as Clinch ripped off a long touchdown run to put Walton back in front 12-7. The score held into the second quarter.
Early in the second, McDaniel’s pass was picked off by Elijah Odom, who took it all the way for a pick-six to push the Braves’ lead to 19-7. The score stayed there until just before halftime, when Fort Walton Beach drove into Walton territory but had to settle for an Oscar Gallardo field goal, making it 19-10 at the break.
- Fort Walton Beach came out aggressive in the second half. The Vikings drove into Braves territory before McDaniel hit Cannon Wilbur for a touchdown to pull within two at 19-17.
That’s when Walton took over. Sincere Williams broke free for a 53-yard touchdown run to push the lead back to 26-17. After forcing a three-and-out, Clinch punched in his third touchdown of the night. Williams then added another score to make it 40-17.
Fort Walton Beach answered when McDaniel connected with Eli Crozier for a touchdown, but the Braves responded as Whitton West scrambled for a touchdown to cap the scoring at 47-24.
Walton looks ahead to an in-county district rivalry matchup against Freeport next week, while Fort Walton Beach hits the road to face Gulf Breeze.
