Peachtree Ridge vs. Walton football capsule

Staff Report (8770)

As of Monday, August 22, 2011
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

Peachtree Ridge's #27 Diandre Atwater

PEACHTREE RIDGE VS. WALTON

Peachtree Ridge Lions (7-AAAAA)

Coach: Mark Fleetwood

2010 record: 6-4

Last week: Season opener

Walton Raiders (5-AAAAA)

Coach: Rocky Hidalgo

2010 record:

Last week: Season opener

OUTLOOK

Walton has made the playoffs nine of the last 10 seasons, including a 2010 trip that was the first with Hidalgo as head coach. The Raiders finished last season strong, bouncing back from a 2-3 start (that included a Corky Kell loss to Brookwood) to win the last five games of the regular season.

Peachtree Ridge was sliding during that same stretch, losing four of its last five games to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Former coach Bill Ballard stepped down after last season, leaving Fleetwood with the mission of getting the Lions back to the postseason.

Fleetwood's offense should be more wide-open than Ballard's run-heavy, spread option, with Billy Best manning the quarterback spot. He has a strong pack of wide receivers to work with, but the Lions will still run the ball regularly with Diandre Atwater and Harry Obiorah.

The linebacking corps is the spot of concern on defense thanks to heavy graduation losses there. But the secondary is very skilled, as is a defensive line with two returning starters.

Last meeting: First meeting

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