MOORE — Jaelon Walker has set some pretty high standards for himself.
The Southmoore junior doesn’t just want to be the best running back to have ever played in Moore, he wants to be known as the best one in his family.
Walker is the nephew of Tarrion Adams, who was a standout back at Moore High from 2002-2004 and went on to play at the University of Tulsa.
“I got a couple of more steps to go,” Walker said. “He was a lot bigger than I was. There are a lot of differences. But at the end of the day I still want to prove that I am better than him. I have to work harder than he does.”
The 5-8, 170-pound Walker is listed as an H-Back on the SaberCats depth chart. His versatility as a runner and receiver makes him a threat anywhere on the field.
In Thursday’s 53-37 loss to Edmond Santa Fe, Walker ran for 112 yards on nine carries and reached the end zone twice.
On the season he has rushed for 232 yards and three touchdowns in four games. His 7.03 average per carry is second on the team to quarterback Tre Edwards. He’s done all his damage with only 33 carries.
“He’s a great player and a good kid,” Edwards said. “He has his head straight. He does some pretty good stuff with the ball in his hands. He doesn’t like losing and is a hard worker.”
Yet, Walker has a ways to go before his stat line matches his uncle’s. In three years at Moore High, Adams rushed for 3,742 yards and 42 touchdowns on 454 carries.
“He never really tells me how good he was,” Walker said. “It’s already out there. I can’t really do nothing about it.”
Before Walker knew anything about Adams’ status in Moore, he was already attracted to the game of football and saw how it had transformed him.
“When I was about five I started playing football,” Walker said. “As I got older, I started getting better and better. It kind of weirded me out because I was always the slow fat kid. Then I hit seventh grade and I hit a little growth spurt. Then I turned up with a little bit of speed. Every since then I’ve been able to play football and thought I may be able to go somewhere. So I just try and stay focused.”
Walker said Adams has been there along the way to help him stay focused in a variety of ways.
“He helps me out,” Walker said. “He gives me pointers on a lot of things. He trains me. I do a lot of conditioning and speed drills with him. It helps a lot. We are still real competitive when we get around each other. We watch football and we play games. When he comes to my games, I have to try and prove I am better than he was. You have to show out.”
Michael Kinney Follow me @eyeamtruth mkinney@mooreamerican.com
