Backup boosts Walton in semi

Mead rushed 18 times for 130 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Warriors to a 38-0 rout of Newfield in a Section Four Class D football semifinal at Union-Endicott’s Ty Cobb Stadium.

"I was pretty positive," Mead said about the start. "I just try to do my best if I’m put in this position and do what I can do for the team."

Junior fullback Fletcher rolled an ankle Wednesday during practice, Walton coach Jim Hoover said. Fletcher, who has rushed for 810 yards and 10 touchdowns on 129 carries this season, didn’t suit up this week but should return for the Section Four final this Saturday.

"He got the OK to start working out again on Monday," Hoover said, "so he should be OK."

The victory gives the Warriors (7-2) a spot in the Section Four Class D final at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ty Cobb Stadium. Walton will face longtime rival Delhi (7-2), a 28-11 winner over previously unbeaten Candor in the other semifinal.

It will be the second time the teams have met this season. Walton won the first, 14-6, in Week 6. [an error occurred while processing this directive]

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"We all know what happens when Delhi and Walton go at it," Hoover said. "It’s always a battle."

Newfield (5-4) didn’t stand much of a chance against Walton’s power game and penetrating defense.

The Warriors opened the game with a six-play drive, culminating with Mead’s first score _ a 3-yard run up the middle. Erik Besemer’s conversion made it 8-0 with 9 minutes, 1 second to play in the first quarter.

One of the key runs of the drive was a 27-yarder by Mead, who is more of a speedy halfback playing a fullback. Toward the end of the run, he showed his fullback edge, though, when he ran over Newfield’s Aaron Catlin.

Mead also doubled as one of Walton’s two linebackers, taking Fletcher’s spot on defense.

"Anthony stepped up huge," said Walton halfback Casey Killian, who finished with 85 yards on nine carries. "Especially going offense and defense for (Fletcher). He did a really good job and I was impressed."

Walton seemed to take full control with just under four minutes left in the first quarter, when Cody Reed blocked a Newfield punt attempt. The Warriors started a series on their 25 and made it 16-0 when Mead scored on a 15-yard run with 1:27 to go.

All wasn’t perfect for Walton, however. The Warriors lost three fumbles _ one each by Mead, Besemer and Cody Endress.

"We were pushing the ball really well, but we had some fumbling problems and fumbled quite a lot," said quarterback Sean Fisher, who rushed for 60 yards and threw for 37. "Other than that, we pushed the ball well."

Said Hoover: "We have to eliminate that. We just have to get to work and try to get better for next week."

Mead had a 6-yard score and Endress a 13-yard TD in the second quarter to give Walton a 32-0 lead at halftime. Mead capped the scoring in the third quarter with a 14-yard run.

"We had really good blocking again today," Killian said. "We took what the defense gave us."

Walton’s defense held Newfield to 88 total yards of offense _ 58 on the ground. Newfield didn’t gain a yard until its third series _ and eighth play _ of the game. The Warriors also recovered two fumbles and had an interception.

"They are playing good football and our defensive linemen are coming off the ball," Hoover said of his defense. "That’s one thing when you coach the offensive line, you’re concerned about a good, hard penetrating defensive line because you have to prepare for that in different ways.

"I don’t know if (Newfield) has seen that all year," he continued. "They might have, but I don’t think as quick and as hard as our kids come off."

Walton 38, Newfield 0

SECTION FOUR CLASS D SEMIFINAL

Saturday at U-E’s Ty Cobb Stadium

Newfield 0 0 0 0 _ 0

Walton 16 16 6 0 _ 38

W _ Anthony Mead 3 run (Erik Besemer run) 9:01

W _ Anthony Mead 15 run (Casey Killian run) 1:27

W _ Anthony Mead 6 run (Erik Besemer run) 8:01

W _ Cody Endress 13 run (Casey Killian run) :54

W _ Anthony Mead 6 run (run failed) 7:46

Newfield rushing: Sam Miller 22-58, Mike Armstrong 6-(-22), Andrew Wall 1-0, Chauncey Snyder 1-(-3), Aaron Catlin 1-15, Marcus Kastenhuber 4-10.

Walton rushing: Anthony Mead 19-130, Casey Killian 9-85, Erik Besemer 2-3, Cody Endress 9-42, Sean Fisher 3-60, Chad Gardepe 4-4, Cody Reed 1-3, Bryan Mead 1-6, Cody MacDonald 1-6, Mike Mora 1-3.

Newfield passing: Mike Armstrong 6-for-11, 30 yards, int.

Walton passing: Sean Fisher 2-for-2, 37 yards.

Newfield receiving: Chauncey Snyder 1-(-3), Andrew Wall 1-7, Aaron Catlin 1-(-2), Dillon Shults 2-24, Jordan Stewart 1-4.

___

P.J. Harmer can be reached at mailto:pharmer@thedailystar.com">pharmer@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 229.