I heard offseason workouts had the best attendance in a few years. Only time will tell if it pays dividends on Friday nights. Should be an interesting year in Verona.

Walton-Verona 2015

8/21 H Lloyd Memorial

8/28 H Covington Holy Cross

9/4 A Covington Holmes

9/11 A Henry County

9/18 A Lexington Christian

9/25 H Carroll County

10/2 H Owen County

10/9 A Gallatin County

10/16 A Trimble County

10/23 H New Richmond (OH)

Walton has two maybe three options at quarterback. Senior Jared Poore is in the front running for the position. Juniors Ben Brown and Nathan Strunk are also in the running.

Prayers to the Walton Community a 14 year old boy was training and running on the railroad tracks getting ready for football and was hit and killed by a train.

I agree Mason Smith and Noah Hammond will be real good.

 

Neither Mason or Noah will be playing football this year.

I know that both a really good wrestlers and I know that will be Mason's main focus. Not sure if Noah wrestles anymore or not though. Both are great kids. They will be missed.

Mason Smith is not just a really good wrestler...he is a great wrestler, and likely will have a chance to wrestle at the next level. I wouldn't be surprised though if he came back to football in the future. Noah Hammond has not wrestled since 8th grade, and was good, but not on Mason's level. I haven't heard that he is going to wrestle again, and I thought football was his main sport, and am surprised to hear he's not playing this year.

Mason Smith is not just a really good wrestler...he is a great wrestler, and likely will have a chance to wrestle at the next level. I wouldn't be surprised though if he came back to football in the future. Noah Hammond has not wrestled since 8th grade, and was good, but not on Mason's level. I haven't heard that he is going to wrestle again, and I thought football was his main sport, and am surprised to hear he's not playing this year.

I was surprised as well. I knew that Mason may not play this year to focus on wrestling. I know that Noah ran track for WV in the spring.

I was surprised as well. I knew that Mason may not play this year to focus on wrestling. I know that Noah ran track for WV in the spring.

 

Wrestling as a sport is on the rise. Including Mason, I know of several other very good football players who are not playing this year to concentrate on wrestling. Most top wrestlers are training year round, and the greater chance of injury playing football are why the really good wrestlers are giving football up. Especially the middle weight guys.

Their Middle School team won the medium school championship last year, they had a lot of nice players on that team. Good foundation for WV moving forward.

Walton has some solid kids coming up. I'm sure Coach Barth with continue to develop the kids he has.

 

As far as wrestling RJS4470 understands what it takes to compete in KY and nationally. It is a very demanding sport that you have to continue to progress. This includes weights, cardio, camps, and lots of mat time. When you come into high school you are now a young kid (freshman) wrestling men (juniors and seniors).

 

I believe that kids should play all sports growing up. Once you reach high school and start thinking about college I think a little more focus in necessary if you plan to go to college for that sport.

 

As far as Mason and Noah. Noah decided to quit football due to the fact that he doesn't love it like he once did. I can respect that. Most kids continue to play for parents, coaches, and friends. My thought from speaking to Noah is that he will play again.

 

For Mason his plan is to continue lifting and training to win a state title this year in wrestling. He unfortunately ran into the state champ 2 years in a row at the state tournament. There are still a lot of tough seniors around his weight so the extra focus was important this year. His plan next year is to run distance in track and also play football again.

 

As far as Evan I have no idea. He was a solid football player and I imagine he has his own reason for not continuing to play.

 

I wish all the boys the best of luck in whatever they decide to do during high school. Also looking forward to watching WV football continue to build a winning tradition. Coach Barth and his staff will continue their winning ways.

 

Go Bearcats!!!!