Sports

Walton Ranked in Preseason Poll

The Raiders still have many familiar faces returning for 2013.

No more Tyren Jones. No more Brandon Kublanow. 

Two of the best-known players in recent Walton football history have gone on to college. 

Yet the Raiders are still considered one of the best teams in Class AAAAAA heading into the 2013 season. 

Coach Rocky Hidalgo's team, in fact, has been ranked No. 8 in a preseason poll by Score Atlanta magazine, which posted a preview this week.

That's because a number of players emerged last year while Jones (now at Alabama) and Kublanow (now at Georgia) nursed injuries. 

They include quarterback Price Wilson, who stepped in for the injured Parker McLeod (also at Alabama) and multi-purpose back D.J. Smith. 

Walton, which is competing today and Saturday in the Lassiter 7 on 7 tournament, once again will be opening its season at the Corky Kell Classic, facing Peachtree Ridge on Aug. 24 in the Georgia Dome. 

On Aug. 14, the East Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Pigskin Preview breakfast at Indian Hills Country Club. 

In addition to Hidalgo, the other coaches who will be speaking include Billy Shackelford of Sprayberry, Jep Irwin of Lassiter, Matt Kemper of Pope, Mike Collins of Wheeler and Derek Cook of Kell. 

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