CBC senior wide receiver Tyler Walton has a knack for good timing.
Like last season during a 47-40 double-overtime victory against Hazelwood Central in a Class 6 football quarterfinal game on the road.
Walton finished that game with seven receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns. While the numbers weren't gaudy, he came up big in critical situations for the Cadets.
"He kept drives extended on fourth down," CBC coach Scott Pingel said. "He kind of let the flow of the game happen and responded. He's just the guy that makes plays. He's very coachable and will be fun to watch his senior year."
People are also reading…
Walton, the No. 27 player on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area's top senior college football prospects, made one of those plays with an 11-yard touchdown reception from Brett Gabbert to tie the game 40-40 at the end of the first overtime period.
The Cadets battled injuries late in the season and still overcame the test the Hawks provided that Saturday afternoon with a berth in the Class 6 semifinals on the line.
"We didn't have the best matchup that we wanted," Walton said. "We battled through adversity that day."
Walton finished his junior season with 45 receptions, which was tied for second-most on the team, 577 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also threw a 63-yard touchdown pass.
"He was a dynamic ball player and was kind of the guy when we needed something, we went to Tyler," Pingel said.
Walton holds offers from Army, Navy, Kent State and Tennessee State. He's being recruited by schools such as Missouri, Michigan, LSU, Memphis, Missouri State, North Dakota State, Eastern Kentucky, Arkansas State and Illinois State. He has not made a decision of where he will play college.
Surrounding Walton last year and this season will be Cameron Brown and Kamryn Babb.
Both receivers are sure to draw extra attention from the defense, and Walton is ready to make a defense pay if they overlook him.
"Whenever I get the opportunity, I just want to make plays, either from the slot or the outside," Walton said. "I like to make plays and do what I can with the ball in my hands."
One area of Walton's game Pingel has seen improved the most is route-running ability. Walton's ability to get up the field has improved leaps and bounds, Pingel said.
One thing Pingel is hoping, something he said he saw in the Hazelwood Central game, is that Walton is himself out on the field.
"I just want him to let the game come to him and not press too much because when he lets the game come to him, there aren't many better than him," Pingel said. "He's very special and kind of lets the flow happen."