Walker readies for solid senior season

HUNTLEY — Huntley senior Bryce Walker ran several different pass routes to start the second week of football summer camp at Red Raider Stadium.

Walker had his junior season cut short last fall when his left leg was broken during the Week 5 game against rival Jacobs. He missed the rest of the Red Raiders’ 37-20 win which sent them on to an 8-2 playoff-bound and co-Fox Valley Conference championship season. He’s ready for a full senior campaign.

“It happened when I was blocking for a running back,” Walker said. “The support I received from my teammates was tremendous, they all reached out and said they were there for me and anything I needed.”

Walker, after the left leg injury that required surgeries ended his junior season after just a handful of catches, returned to the sidelines in a scooter to watch the end of the season.

“I’ve been playing football since I was 4-years-old,” Walker said. “My hero is Devin Hester.”

His brother Brad, a 2020 HHS alum, plays football at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn. Walker is looking forward to his final high school season.

“We’ll be very good,” he said.

Walker played the final few weeks of the varsity basketball season.

“That gained him a lot of confidence,” HHS head coach Mike Naymola said. “Like any injury, he was hesitant at first. Then we worked on things when the team was doing seven-on-sevens.”

Naymola praised Walker’s dedication despite the setback.

“It is a great example for all of our players, the adversity he went through, what the family went through,” Naymola said.

Naymola said this season’s senior class, about 30 players, is a little less than last fall. “But they have taken the torch from last year’s group,” the coach said. “We’re trying to find our identity on offense and defense. There is a lot of competition.”

In addition to Walker, top receivers could be seniors Jake Laughlin, Logan Mikutis, Omare Segarra and Jake Witt. At quarterback there is a “three-headed monster – they all have their attributes,” coach said.  Senior Cole Coppersmet, junior Braylon Bower and sophomore Peace could get the nod.

All-FVC selection senior Haiden Janke leads returning running backs. Defense top returnees include All-FVC Zach Garifo; defensive lineman Adam Tramula; linebacker Ari Frebig; linebacker Ryan Sweeney; linebacker Jack Cross and defensive lineman Ben Cohen.

HHS’s summer camp workouts are highlighted by a seven-on-seven tournament against elite teams at Brownsburg, Indiana, home of former Huntley head coach John Hart, July 17-19.

Then it’s final push to the regular season, with practice beginning Aug. 7. The season opener is hosting Crystal Lake Central Aug. 25.