CEDAR PARK — Jett Walker was born to be fast.
That’s why Matt and Leslie Walker named their first son Jett. Matt Walker was a high school sprinter in El Paso who earned a track scholarship to run at UTEP. It’s in his blood.
Jett Walker showed off his running ability Thursday during a 42-14 victory over Rouse at Gupton. He has an edge in size (6 feet 2, 212 pounds) and speed (runs the 40 in 4.55 seconds) that terrorizes anyone who wants to tackle him.
Such was the case when he rushed 22 times for 258 yards in the key District 8-5A DI victory over Rouse. He scored touchdowns on runs of 17, 34, 88 and 32 yards. He used his power to break past the line of scrimmage and outran the secondary for large chunks of real estate. This Boeing 747 has been cleared for takeoff.
“I’m extremely blessed,” Walker said outside the visiting team’s locker room after the game. “God gifted me with these talents of size and speed. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Walker’s ascension as a star began when Matt took him to the Junior Olympics when he was 8. His son was always a little bigger, stronger and faster than other kids his age.
“I had heard that if you could run the 200 and 400, you can be a good running back,” Matt said. “That means you’re going to be tough later in the game. He started playing football in the third grade and he’s always played running back. He’s always been big and fast.”
Breaking 1,000 yards in his sixth game
Arguably the best running back in the Austin area, Jett Walker has rushed for 1,030 yards and 14 touchdowns through six games. He ran for 508 yards in his last two games.
“Jett’s one of the best we’ve ever had here,” Eagles quarterback Kaleb McDougle said. “He really changes this team and makes us something different. We can pass the ball, we’ve got a great receiving core, and then he steps up our run game with our good O-line.”
The line helped pave the way for an offense that finished with 335 yards rushing and 152 yards passing. Linemen Kaden Scherer, Sam Lopez, Brant Hargrove, Noah Faltsek and Ryan Castilleja deserve much of the credit for the team’s offensive success, McDougle and Walker said.
Georgetown (5-1, 2-1) scored touchdowns on its first three possessions and took a 21-7 lead into halftime. The Eagles put the game on ice on their first play from scrimmage in the third quarter when McDougle and receiver Davyn Sedwick hooked up for an 87-yard touchdown.
Junior running back invited to Texas football game
As for Walker, who’s only a junior, his future looks to be even brighter than the present. He already has been offered athletic scholarships to UTSA and Navy and should receive more by the time he’s a senior. He’s been invited to attend Saturday college games this year at Rice, UTSA and Texas.
Georgetown coach Chuck Griffin predicts his star pupil will excel at the next level.
“He’s really good and he can play anywhere on the field,” Griffin said. “I tell coaches he can can start on special teams as a (college) freshman. The college offers he’s received will continue to grow.”
Fighting back after a tough loss
As for the rest of the regular season, Georgetown knows the battle to win district will be tough. Cedar Park (3-0) and Leander (2-0) are unbeaten. Georgetown’s only loss of the year was a 38-35 loss to Leander, a game the Eagles believe they didn’t prepare for properly.
“That game might galvanized us,” Griffin said. “We weren’t expecting that, obviously. It’s one of those things where where you get a little big for your britches and this brought us back to earth.”
Walker will take a break from football this weekend to go dove hunting in Santa Anna, roughly 160 miles northwest of Austin. Hunting and fishing have been lifelong passions.
Luckily for Georgetown, so is football.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Jett Walker helps beat Rouse after drawing Texas recruiting interest
