Owen Walter
CORUNNA – Midway through his junior season, Owen Walter was asked to move to tailback to add to the depth of the Corunna backfield, which had suddenly been hit with a string of injuries.
Walter, who primarily played linebacker, said he wouldn’t get much more than garbage time, getting the bulk of his carries when the Cavaliers had a runaway lead. But he felt he always could be effective at the varsity level. He just needed an opportunity.
Walter got his chance this summer when second-year coach Kyle Robinson tabbed him as the starter a week before the season, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Walter has rushed 52 times for 705 yards and seven touchdowns for unbeaten Division 4 No. 4-ranked Corunna.
“I was just waiting for my opportunity to step in and contribute what I could,” said Walter, who’s rushed for 100-plus yards in four of the Cavaliers’ (5-0) five games this year. “We really had high expectations (as an offense) going into this season, especially after last year.”
The senior’s latest 100-plus-yard performance came Friday night in a 48-20 conference victory over Flint Beecher. Walter had 14 carries for 188 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was an 84-yard scamper.
Walter said the victory over the Flint school was a big step in the right direction for his program, which is looking to repeat as Genesee Area Conference (Red) champions.
“Beecher is considered one of the better teams in the conference,” Walter said. “One of our main goals … we wanted to avenge last year’s loss to Goodrich, and we beat them. We want to go undefeated this season and win a conference championship.
“Another big goal we have is to be district champs.”
Walter is first to admit that if it weren’t for Corunna’s massive offensive line, which includes Cooper Clapp, Max Nations and Brandon Blair, him and the other tailbacks might not be as successful. He added that the o-line has paved the way for some of his bigger moments this season.
Robinson, who is 13-2 as the Cavaliers’ head coach, called Walter a “field general,” and said he’s been like another coach out on the field. Walter’s ability to see the game and commitment to the weight room is what Robinson believes has helped him standout midway through his final year.
“He knows assignments, technique and everything for everyone on the field,” Robinson said. “His vision, the way he can do one-step speed cuts, jump cuts, and the way he works with our assistant coach (Buck) Heiney at practice (stands out).
“He has a knack for being able to find holes.”
Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.