South Walton shuts out Franklin County, on to next battle

The South Walton Seahawks shutout Franklin County 27-0 this past Friday, but this Friday’s contest will be a battle.

 “What a war it is going to be,” said South Walton Coach David Barron Monday morning. South Walton will host the Northview Chiefs at 7 p.m. Friday.

Last year, South Walton beat Northview on the road 14-6.

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However, Coach Barron is not taking the Chiefs lightly.

“They are a very sound, strong and more experienced team. It’s going to be a tough challenge,” he said.

“No. 1, we’ve got to block like we’ve never blocked before,” Barron said. “And be mistake free.

“The defense has got to play goal line technique all night long,” he added.

Barron said the Chiefs line up “foot-to-foot. They look like a covey of quail all bunched up,” he said.

As for their running backs, “they run as hard as their blockers block,” Barron said.

The Chiefs are coming off a 24-6 road-victory over the Graceville Tigers.

The Seahawks are also coming off a win.

This past Friday South Walton pretty much got it done in one quarter, sending Franklin County packing 27-0.

"The offense has been very offensive tonight," Barron said as he walked off the field Friday night. "But not in a good way. It's been almost non-existent. Look at how we scored … Its been trickery."

After struggling the first quarter, South Walton pulled a trick play out of the bag. With the ball on the Franklin 49-yard line, South Walton pulled off a double-pass play. Quarterback Dylan Asbury passed off to Jay Gatto who found a wide-open Zack Parker down field. Parker took it in for the score and Jonathan O'Hara kicked the point after for a 7-0 score.

South Walton stuffed Franklin County on their next possession and got the ball to about midfield again. This time South Walton put together a seven-play drive capped off by a 4-yard run up the middle by Gatto, who finished the night with 60 yards total. O'Hara was good for the PAT and South Walton was up 14-0.

The South Walton Seahawks got the ball one more time in the second quarter. With the ball on the Franklin 21, South Walton's Asbury found Andrew Priest who cut the corner of the end zone as he fell back with the catch and the score. O'Hara put up his third PAT and South Walton led 21-0 at the half.

The second half was plagued with penalties. Franklin picked up 102 yards worth of penalties on the night, while South Walton was hit for 75.

South Walton scored one last time with 52 seconds left in the game. Asbury completed a 9-yard pass to Zack Parker for the touchdown. The snap was bad and the extra point attempt never happened.

"Our offensive line just didn't handle their front," Barron said. "We've been beat up front all night."

As for the defense, Barron was pleased with their effort.

"We shut them down and held them to three and out about five times tonight," he said.

For the game, South Walton rushed for 129 yards with Gatto picking up 60 yards in 11 carries. Ryan Rookis rushed for 36 yards in six carries and Brandon Whalen picked up 19 yards in five carries.

Asbury completed eight of 14 passes for 102 yards with two interceptions and two touchdowns. Gatto was one of one for 49 yards.

Franklin rushed for 117 yards with Dalin Modican the main workhorse with 41 yards. Modican completed four of 12 passes for 21 yards, while Dwayne Griggs was one of three for 3 yards and one interception.