Former Ceres Cowboys youth football standout Dominick Walker had a highlight-filled junior season with Pitman this past fall.
The 6-foot-tall, 180-pounder's most productive outing consisted of rumbling for 251 yards and four scores, and catching a 25-yard TD pass in the Pride's 77-35 thrashing of the visiting Downey Knights on Sept. 25.
"I slept pretty good that night," Dominick said. "My legs were pretty sore. Running up and down the field tired me out."
Pitman raced to a 63-21 lead in the first half as Walker had touchdown runs of 68, 3 and 99 yards, and a TD reception in the second quarter. He also had a 13-yard rushing score in the opening quarter.
"It was crazy how it was all happening," Dominick said. "I surprised a lot of people. I've never played in a game like that. That's a lot of points. The offensive line gave me opportunities with the holes they were opening for me."
Walker tied a state record when he sped 99 yards for a touchdown on a sweep play to the right side in the second quarter.
"Once I got to the outside, I was off to the races," he said. "Three of our linemen were running down the field with me. It was pretty amazing."
Parents Mo and Michelle Walker watched from the stands as their youngest son turned in a jaw-dropping performance at Joe Debely Stadium.
"I didn't get to enjoy the experience as much as my husband because I was trying to video tape it," Michelle said. "I was following the ball. It was kind of surreal."
The Walkers lived in Ceres for 12 years before moving to Turlock before the start of Dominick's freshman year. He made the jump from freshman to varsity football as a sophomore.
"I was a little nervous my first game," Dominick said. "But there's nothing better than playing on Friday nights. I didn't get to run the ball that much. I was mostly a defensive player."
A two-way starter this year, Walker played left halfback and right cornerback.
He tallied eight touchdowns in Pitman's four league victories.
Dominick ran for 145 yards and three scores on 13 carries in the Pride's 40-6 pasting of crosstown rival Turlock in the Sixth Annual Harvest Bowl.
He scored on an 88-yard kickoff return, 25-yard pass reception and 33-yard run during Pitman's 76-45 rout of Golden Valley during Week 9.
In wins against Merced (49-7) and Buhach Colony (35-6), Walker hauled in TD passes of 12 and 10 yards, respectively.
"I definitely knew I was going to be playing a lot this year because I got moved up as a sophomore," he said. "It's tough but I got to do it. I work a lot harder now."
Pitman participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs, tied for second place in the Central California Conference (4-2) and posted a 6-5 overall record thanks in large part to Walker's all-round play.
"We're pretty proud of him," Michelle said.
The 6-foot-tall, 180-pounder's most productive outing consisted of rumbling for 251 yards and four scores, and catching a 25-yard TD pass in the Pride's 77-35 thrashing of the visiting Downey Knights on Sept. 25.
"I slept pretty good that night," Dominick said. "My legs were pretty sore. Running up and down the field tired me out."
Pitman raced to a 63-21 lead in the first half as Walker had touchdown runs of 68, 3 and 99 yards, and a TD reception in the second quarter. He also had a 13-yard rushing score in the opening quarter.
"It was crazy how it was all happening," Dominick said. "I surprised a lot of people. I've never played in a game like that. That's a lot of points. The offensive line gave me opportunities with the holes they were opening for me."
Walker tied a state record when he sped 99 yards for a touchdown on a sweep play to the right side in the second quarter.
"Once I got to the outside, I was off to the races," he said. "Three of our linemen were running down the field with me. It was pretty amazing."
Parents Mo and Michelle Walker watched from the stands as their youngest son turned in a jaw-dropping performance at Joe Debely Stadium.
"I didn't get to enjoy the experience as much as my husband because I was trying to video tape it," Michelle said. "I was following the ball. It was kind of surreal."
The Walkers lived in Ceres for 12 years before moving to Turlock before the start of Dominick's freshman year. He made the jump from freshman to varsity football as a sophomore.
"I was a little nervous my first game," Dominick said. "But there's nothing better than playing on Friday nights. I didn't get to run the ball that much. I was mostly a defensive player."
A two-way starter this year, Walker played left halfback and right cornerback.
He tallied eight touchdowns in Pitman's four league victories.
Dominick ran for 145 yards and three scores on 13 carries in the Pride's 40-6 pasting of crosstown rival Turlock in the Sixth Annual Harvest Bowl.
He scored on an 88-yard kickoff return, 25-yard pass reception and 33-yard run during Pitman's 76-45 rout of Golden Valley during Week 9.
In wins against Merced (49-7) and Buhach Colony (35-6), Walker hauled in TD passes of 12 and 10 yards, respectively.
"I definitely knew I was going to be playing a lot this year because I got moved up as a sophomore," he said. "It's tough but I got to do it. I work a lot harder now."
Pitman participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs, tied for second place in the Central California Conference (4-2) and posted a 6-5 overall record thanks in large part to Walker's all-round play.
"We're pretty proud of him," Michelle said.
