Big plays gives Walton boost in upset over co-defending champs

<p>Walton's defense kept them close, but special teams earned them the victory.</p><p>Adam Shreiner booted a 58-yard field goal, Billy Burns returned a punt 80-yards for a touchdown and the Raiders defense played phenomenal in a 13-10 upset over co-defending champion Roswell.</p><p>"That's a big win," Dudley said. "I think it validates a lot of the work and things these guys have been putting in. And it shows us we can play against anybody."</p><p>Both teams struggled on offense. After Roswell quarterback Dustin Taliaferro was intercepted on his first pass attempt, Walton took advantage of the turnover and later scored three-points off a Shreiner 25-yard field goal.</p><p>But that was just a warmup for Shreiner. Midway through the second quarter, he easily nailed a 58-yarder to give Walton a 6-3 lead. His kick broke a school record previously held by Philip Newman, who made a 57-yarder against Roswell in 1998.</p><p>Not bad for a kicker who a missed a game two weeks ago with a hip injury.</p><p>"Coach (Dudley) asked me if I was healthy, and I said I was fine," Shreiner said. "I think I could have made one from 60 (yards), but I'll take that one for sure. This is a huge win for us."</p><p>Walton extended it's lead soon after Shreiner's kick when Burns dodged numerous tackles, striding for an 80-yard score to give the Hornets a 10-point lead heading into halftime.</p><p>In the second half, Walton's defense kept them afloat as defensive end Chase Thomas recorded two sacks.</p><p>"I'll give them (the players) 24 hours to think about his and soak it in," Dudley said. "But we have a lot of work to do. I'm very proud of these kids, but we were far from perfect."</p><p>HASH(0x2dea264)</p><p>TCC RUSHES BIG: P.J. Williams ran for 192 yards and two touchdowns and Debrale Smiley added 174 yards on the ground and scored twice to lead Thomas County Central to a 32-13 win over Tift County.</p><p>Thomas County Central, ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA, took an 18-0 lead before halftime when Smiley scored on a 45-yard run and a 30-yard pass reception. It was the first lost of season for third-ranked Tift County of Class AAAAA.</p><p>HASH(0x2dea3a8)</p><p>TUCKER LOOKS STRONG: Derrick Harris ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns to help Tucker in an easy 35-0 defeat over St. Pius X.</p><p>Tucker finished with 359 yards rushing, scoring on runs of 64, 44, 47 and 51 yards. The defense got their fourth straight shutout, outscoring opponents 170-0 in their wins.</p><p>Tucker's victory also avenged last year's 10-7 loss to St. Pius X.</p><p>HASH(0x2dec170)</p><p>ROME CRUISES: P.J. Green rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns to lead Rome to a 34-13 win over Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe.</p><p>Green, who had 21 carries, scored on runs of 41 and 5 yards. With a 13-6 halftime lead, Rome put the game away scoring 21 straight points in the second half.</p><p>HASH(0x2dec2b4)</p><p>VALDOSTA'S SLIM WIN: Michael Turner threw a 7-yard touchdown to David Arnold with 2:37 left in the fourth quarter to lift Valdosta to a 21-17 win over Lincoln of Tallahassee, Fla.</p><p>Turner ran 189 yards on 26 carries and caught three passes for 31 yards and touchdowns for Valdosta. Turner completed 5-of-6 passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns.</p><p>HASH(0x2dedab4)</p>