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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 13, 2006 Breakaway threat Quinton Walker has Phoenix hitting its stride at the right time By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune PHOENIX — As the Phoenix football team is sure to attest these days, it's not how you start a season but how you finish it that matters. Coming off a year in which the Pirates earned their first Skyline Conference championship since 1993 and advanced to the state semifinals, Phoenix found itself with almost an entirely new cast this time around. And while the early results weren't to the Pirates' liking with an 0-3 start, they appear to be hitting stride at the right time having won two straight entering tonight's league matchup with Rogue River at Jack Woodward Stadium. Keying Phoenix's recent run has been junior Quinton Walker, who knows a thing or two about late starts since he didn't take up football until he was in eighth grade. "I was a little too aggressive in soccer," Walker says of the switch necessitated by some rough slide tackles. "Everyone said I'd be good in football because I was fast and overly aggressive for soccer. I guess they were right. It's been great. I love football. It's gotten more fun each year." Advertisement It certainly was fun for Walker last Friday. The 5-foot-8, 165-pounder scored four touchdowns to help lead the Pirates to a 43-38 win over Illinois Valley in the Skyline opener for both teams. "We're definitely focused on the Skyline Conference," says Walker. "The preseason is behind us and we're just focusing on being the Skyline champs again." More impressive than scoring four TDs in one game is just how the 16-year-old accomplished it last Friday. Walker rushed for 161 yards and two scores, hauled in a 58-yard touchdown pass and, for good measure, returned a kickoff 82 yards for another score. "Quinton's very versatile," says Phoenix coach Gordy Crowston. "He does a little of everything for us." Walker has scored eight touchdowns in five games — two on kickoff returns — and also intercepted two passes in the season opener against Ashland to give his Pirates a chance before falling short 23-20. And although Crowston considers Walker to be one of his team's surest tacklers at cornerback, his main attribute is toting the football on offense. "Quinton's a real tough kid," Crowston says. "He runs about 4.6 (seconds in the 40) and he has real quick lateral movement, but his toughness is what we really appreciate. He just runs it up in there full speed time and time again, and that's kind of the secret of his success." Crowston calls Walker his team's breakaway threat and a huge piece of the puzzle to help create room for fellow running back Kyle Giron and quarterback Neil Emerson. "It makes it interesting when he breaks those big ones because that kinda sets up the other guys," says Crowston, noting that Walker has five TDs of more than 50 yards thus far. "He gets a lot of attention and it does open things up," adds the coach. "It's something we do try to take advantage of." And Walker is more than happy to oblige. "He wants the ball on every play and I keep having to hold him back," says Crowston. "I love that in him, but we're gonna try to keep him around for 14 or so games or however many we get to play while he's here." After playing a reserve role on last year's senior-dominated squad, Walker says he welcomed the switch to a more substantial role this season. If he could, he'd love to carry the ball 25 times per game. Barring that, he just wants to do whatever he can to help the Pirates win. "Last year we had about 18 starters returning and a lot of good senior players, so I kinda took a back seat to them," he says, "but this year I've definitely switched roles and I'm definitely trying to lead the team." As an honor-roll student and third in line among a Walker family that boasts six children overall, he certainly has proven to have a good head on his shoulders along the way. "We kinda put a lot on him and he handles it pretty well," says Crowston. "His work ethic is a great example for everybody on the club. He pushes himself with everything he does and is always going full out. The heart and example he displays for us on a daily basis is real critical for us this year because we're kinda young." And, with Walker's help, ready for a run. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com