By Bobby Narang
Glenbard East High School senior defensive end Sam Walton had to win over his toughest critic in his first season playing football.
Walton, a two-year starter who is an integral player for the Rams, is planning to play in college. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Walton is a promising player capable of adding size to become a starter in college.
But Walton got a late start to his football career.
“My mom did not want me playing football when I was younger,” Walton said. “I really wanted to play. All my friends were playing, so we gave it one year at least to try it and to see where it would go from there. I didn’t play a ton my freshman year, but she liked me playing football and never said I couldn’t play.”
Since his sophomore year, Walton morphed into a defensive menace. He gained weight, grew five inches and now become a terror for the Rams’ opponents. Walters is a player to watch in Friday’s pivotal game against unbeaten Riverside-Brookfield. The Rams (7-1, 5-0) host the Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0) in a battle for the Upstate Eight East conference title on Friday at 7 p.m..
Glenbard East coach John Walters said Walton is a disruptive force for his stingy defense. The Rams have dialed up their defense in the last five weeks, allowing just 26 points.
“Sammy is long, athletic and rangy,” Walters said. “He’s anchored down the defensive line all year. He can chase down players from behind and gets to the quarterback. He’s a really good football player.”
Walton, a captain, added five inches and 50 pounds to his frame since his freshman season to turn himself from a rookie to a college-bound player.
“The coaches at Glenbard East really helped me all these four years,” Walton said. “I put in a lot of time in the offseason in the weight room, eating more and trying to fill out. I wasn’t the biggest kid in my freshman year.”
Walton credited the seniors from last year’s team for helping him become a consistent player and a captain, capable of leading the defense on the field and the team during the offseason and practices.
“The seniors taught me the ropes and the coaches as well on the varsity level,” he said. “They helped me improve and to play faster and to not think too much on the field and to trust myself, so I can play fast. Our defense is connected and working together as a team and producing turnovers.”
The Bulldogs will be a stiff test for the host Rams on Friday. Riverside-Brookfield is off to its best start in 21 years and scored more than 30 points in seven of its eight games.
Walton, a three-sport athlete, said the Bulldogs have a formidable offense.
“We have to stop the run game, make them pass and let our defensive backs do their job,” Walton said. “We have to also get pressure upfront. It will be an exciting game.”
Walters heaped praise on the Bulldogs, noting his team must play a full four quarters to record the victory.
“The keys for us are to play fast and physical on defense and eliminate some of their vertical passing,” Walters said. “On offense, we want to mix our run and pass and play-action and not have any turnovers. I knew from the beginning of the season we had the possibility to be in this position. It’s going to be a good game, at our place on senior night.”