THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 27, 1996 TAG: 9609250168
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, CLIPPER SPORTS WRITER
LENGTH: 90 lines
SINCE SEVENTH GRADE, Darren Walton has pulled in sure passes from his twin, Daryl.
The two went through all the growing pains of football together. They never seemed to get enough - after practice, the two would race home to practice more in the front yard.
After five years of intense preparation, this was to be their year.
Then, three weeks ago, Daryl went down with a knee injury. At first, the prognosis was fair. Trainers thought he would be back. Then, a week later, they announced Daryl was out for the season.
It was time for Darren to solo.
``It hurts me a lot,'' Darren said. ``I feel incomplete getting ready for a game. I feel like I'm missing something.''
What he's missing is more than the quarterback's arm. Growing up, the two bonded through football.
``It felt like we were just right at home,'' Darren said. ``He'd throw and I'd catch. Just at home, like he'd vacuum and I'd dust.''
The two debuted on the playing field in the seventh grade. Originally, Darren was the quarterback of the pair. Then, the physical presence of Daryl caught the coaches' eyes.
``I would pitch it to him and he'd throw downfield,'' Darren said. ``He was always well-built. The coaches noticed he could really throw the ball and he started playing quarterback.''
The two spent endless hours practicing the sport they loved and dreaming of winning state titles, playing college ball together. The dreams changed as they grew into their prep careers, but the memories lingered. Memories of extra hours. Classic plays. Football.
``Most quarterbacks and wide receivers, the wide receiver can't get out of practice and go out in the yard and throw the ball and run routs,'' Darren said. ``We got to come home every day and do that. I'd route out plays on my bed and then we'd go out and do them.''
Their efforts paid off. As sophomores, Daryl earned the starting quarterback role. Darren started at defensive back. Later, he claimed the wide receiver slot he now holds.
Although they probably would have split to different colleges after this season, they thought they had one season left.
``It was a real advantage,'' Darren said.
One more season to chase the Southeastern District title and work on finessing their games. A last chance to be together on the playing field. Then Daryl was injured on the fourth play from scrimmage in their first outing. A candidate for top quarterback honors in the area, his season was quickly over.
Not so for Darren, a second-team All-Tidewater selection last season. He continued his momentum. So far, he is averaging 19.9 yards per carry. He has rushed 159 yards on eight carries for three touchdowns. His focus, however, is not on his personal statistics. The senior is concentrating on helping the Bruins rebound from a 28-21 upset by Churchland last Friday.
``So far, it's been a little shaky,'' Darren said. ``We see it as we have three seasons. We had the scrimmages, we had the non-district games and now we have the district season. We haven't played too well with the non-district games.''
Western Branch has been ranked as high as third and is now ninth in a South Hampton Roads poll. What does Darren see as the solution to any potential Bruins struggles?
``A lot of unselfishness, teamwork, effort and pride in our team,'' he said.
Playing in potentially the toughest district in the area, Western Branch must face defending state champion Indian River and perennial power Deep Creek in the title run. Darren puts no more emphasis on those games than he does any other district, or for that matter non-district, opponent.
``Me personally, I don't look at any game as a hard game or an easy game,'' he said. ``I respect my opponents. You could be the sorriest team in the world and we could get embarrassed. I look at Western Branch as a real good team. I don't feel there is a real difference in our district.''
Eyeing his future, Darren explains he wants to maintain grade point average requirements and earn a qualifying SAT so that he can play at Hampton University next season. Daryl's plans are less clear-cut, but do not involve Hampton.
``We've considered it, but he'll probably go his way and I'll go mine,'' Darren said. ``He doesn't really want to go to Hampton.''
For now, though, thoughts of college are relegated to the far corners of Darren's mind. He is too busy looking to the next game - this week it's Oscar Smith - and running his favorite play.
``I love going over the middle and getting hit. After catching the ball. I can still get up and I still caught it. I like to see how hard I got hit.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MIKE HEFFNER
Darren Walton of Western Branch runs with the ball against
Churchland. He is playing for the first time in his career without
his twin brother, Daryl, who's out for the season.
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL by CNB