Four years ago this week, then-freshman Ashton Walk earned his first career win at quarterback against Penns Valley.
In his varsity debut, he led the Golden Eagles with 180 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 28-18 comeback victory.
Since that first appearance in October 2021, Walk has not missed a start, from the last four games of his COVID-affected freshman season through week eight of his senior year.
Tonight against Central Cambria on Senior Night, Walk will make his 33rd consecutive start.
Along the way, Walk has set three major school passing records: the single-game passing record with 360 yards against Penns Valley in 2023, the career touchdown record with 72, and the career passing yards record with 6,769 yards and counting.
The previous career passing and touchdown records were held by Steve Franco who played for the Golden Eagles from 2008-2011. Franco’s career numbers were 6,070 yards and 64 touchdowns. Class of 2016 grad Drew Hunter set the previous single-game passing record with 340 yards against Huntingdon in 2015.
Tyrone Head Coach John Franco said it’s been a pleasure to coach Walk over the last four years.
“Ashton is one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever coached. He has some outstanding skills that can help you win games,” Franco said. “He has a great feel for the game. He understands how to attack defenses.”
Franco had much to say about his four-year starter at quarterback, but he highlighted one particular skill that sets Walk above most of the quarterbacks he coached.
“Ashton is one of the most accurate passers I’ve ever coached. He has a strong arm and he’s a good athlete, but accuracy is by far his greatest skill,” Franco said.
Walk said the most memorable game of his career so far was the Golden Eagles’ win at home against Bald Eagle this season on September 13.
“The game went to overtime and we came away with the win 35-28. They were one of the returning powerhouses in double-A and we never beat them in my previous three years,” Walk said.
Walk said he is proud of the individual records but they are not as important as the team’s success.
“The records are a big accomplishment but most importantly they helped the team win games, and that’s what I’m most focused on,” Walk said.
Walk has a successful career record of 18-14 as a starter, but the Golden Eagles have yet to play in a district championship game with him under center, and that’s what Walk is most concerned about right now.
“My goal for the future is to bring a district championship back to Tyrone,” Walk said.
Senior guard and linebacker Austin Lucas has played alongside Walk for four years and appreciates what Walk brings to the team.
“He is a great quarterback and you know that he will make plays when we need him to, and I love playing with him,” Lucas said.
In addition to football, Walk also plays basketball and baseball, but his goal is to play quarterback in college. He said that several schools have shown interest and he hopes to focus on his college plans after the high school season ends.
Until then, he hopes to add a few more wins, including a district championship, to his already impressive high school football resume.
