Walker Gets Saugus Going, Coming, 28-15

LANCASTER —  Saugus High knew Antelope Valley’s Tony Walker would be coming and the Centurions prepared for it.

Here comes Walker.

There goes Walker.

And there goes Antelope Valley to the semifinals of the Southern Section playoffs.

Walker scored four touchdowns in a 28-15 victory Friday night at Antelope Valley High.

The 6-foot, 170-pound all-purpose back scored on a kick return, a pass reception and two runs.

Walker also had an interception and completed a 23-yard pass on a fake field goal, which set up Antelope Valley’s last touchdown with 4 minutes 21 seconds left.

Here’s Walker, diving over the line from two yards out to make it 28-9 before the Centurions scored a meaningless touchdown with 40 seconds left.

Saugus worked all week to stop Walker, the one Antelope Valley player who can take over a game.

“Somebody on our team said to me, ‘Do you think you can beat Walker this week?’ ” said Saugus quarterback Chris Kobe, who passed for 272 yards. “Walker did his thing.

“We thought we’d give up one cheap touchdown. . . . “

Try three.

After Antelope Valley cashed in a safety for two points when Saugus snapped the ball out of the end zone on a punt, Walker returned the ensuing free kick 70 yards to make it 9-0 before the Antelopes (9-2) ran an offensive play.

Walker, who rushed for 152 yards in 17 carries, caught a 19-yard scoring pass and scored on a 70-yard run.

“All I need is a couple blocks,” Walker said. “In the open field, I’m pretty good at eluding players.”

Another season of high hopes eluded Saugus (6-6).

The Centurions were shut out in the first half after twice getting deep into Antelope territory.

Kobe fumbled at the 10-yard line early in the second quarter and he threw an incomplete pass on fourth down to end the next drive at the Antelope Valley five.

Walker’s scoring reception, which followed the safety and kick return, made it 16-0 at halftime.

Saugus was stymied again in the third quarter, this time running four plays inside the seven and settling for a 23-yard field goal by Seth Groller to make it 16-3.

Walker opened the fourth quarter with his 70-yard run to make it 22-3 with 11:33 left.

Kobe completed 26 of 37 passes and led the Centurions to touchdowns on their final two possessions.

Mark Pecaro scored on a three-yard run and Chad Hilton caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Kobe.

But Saugus didn’t kick into gear soon enough against Antelope Valley after upsetting top-seeded Peninsula the previous week.

Pecaro rushed for 54 yards in 16 carries and caught four passes for 59. Scott Garrett had five receptions for 76 yards.

Gregg Johnson needed 35 yards receiving to reach 1,000 for the season. He caught four passes for 27 yards.