With Walls, Del-Val Charter passes test

DWINE WALLS is serious about academics and has the utmost faith in his teammates.

So, the 5-8, 167-pound senior multitool for Del-Val Charter had few reservations when he took the SATs at Temple University while his teammates faced KIPP-DuBois Collegiate Academy.

Well, that is until he showed up at Ben Johnston Memorial Field.

"The only thing that was a little shaky was when we got here and we were losing," Walls said. "So my blood was pumping and I was trying to rush and get on the field."

Senior running back Nasir Bonner was another test-taker, but with its full complement of players, Del-Val eventually rolled the Lions, 52-8, on Saturday.

Walls finished with a pair of touchdown catches and 47 receiving yards after missing the first quarter. Punt-return touchdowns from Shaheed Brown and Zamir Davis (69 and 67 yards, respectively) helped Del-Val break the game open.

However, thanks to big-time efforts from Domair Harris, KIPP jumped on the heavily favored and undefeated Warriors (7-0, 3-0), who have now outscored Public League opponents by 312-14 this season.

Harris, a senior quarterback and defensive back, forced two fumbles, recovered another and snagged an interception, all in a first quarter that ended with the Lions (3-4, 2-2) ahead, 8-0.

KIPP could have gone ahead two scores after Harris also hit senior receiver Kyree Ruffin with what would have been a 57-yard score, but an offensive penalty negated the play.

Not exactly the start Walls had in mind as he prepared for his test.

"I'm a team captain so I was a little stressed," he said, "but, I knew my team would hold it down until I got there. I don't think my team needs me to win. I just think I'm one key. I think they can win without me, so I wasn't stressing out and hurrying to finish. I was taking my time."

A 3.83-GPA student last year, Walls, who lives in the Northeast near Akron and Hellerman streets, doesn't mess around with his books. This semester, he reports an advanced placement class in statistics and an interest in cutting things open.

"I'm a science type of guy," Walls said. "I like looking at different bodies and organs. I like dissecting frogs and animals."

The line between fascination and revulsion is thin and, for Walls, apparently lies along the color of a frog's plumbing.

"Their body's a little different," he laughed. "It was nasty. It wasn't like the color was pink inside; it was black."

After testing was complete on Saturday, Annie Zourzoukis, a teacher at Del-Val, scooped up Walls and Bonner and drove them to the field, Walls said.

Walls nearly scored on his first touch, a 16-yard reception he took into the end zone before being ruled out of bounds at the 4. A play later, he caught a touchdown from junior quarterback Shayne Smith (3-for-6, 47 yards and two TDs).

"I could have scored on the long one, but my legs weren't ready yet," Walls joked. "I was a little hyped up because I felt like my team was missing me, so that's why they were trying to get me the ball because they know I can make some plays."

However, before he stepped on the scene, Walls' teammates made some plays, too.

Davis' 67-yard punt return started the second quarter. Brown's 39-yard TD pass from Andrew Thomas-Sumpter followed and gave the Warriors a 12-6 lead.

Brown, a junior wideout and running back, added 42 rushing yards and a score on three carries. He also put the game out of reach with a 69-yard return. Davik Miller added a late rushing score and a fumble recovery. Elijah McCants blocked a punt, which Desmont Pugh recovered for a score. McCants also added an interception.

Next week, Del-Val will battle for first place in AA play at host Prep Charter (7-0-1). Last season, the Warriors finished 0-4 in league play and 3-9 overall.

The biggest difference, Walls said, has been first-year head coach Troy Gore and what his coaching staff has brought to the team.

"Discipline," Walls said. "The coaches changed the program around and I'm thankful that they're here and I think my teammates are, too. I just think we're all on the same page now. Last year, we had a lot of kids who weren't even thinking about going to college. Now, everybody is into the sport and wants to go to college. I think that's because of the coaches. They didn't sell us a dream; they just told us how it was."

Walls said Temple and Delaware have expressed some interest in his talent. He said he's willing to play offense or defense for a chance. He also said he'll take a shot at baseball this season.

"I'm a leader on and off the field," he said. "I try to lead by telling my teammates to go to class and keep their grades up. I have high grades myself because I put school first. I wasn't born like that. I had to work to get this good. I feel like you just have to take every chance you get and make an opportunity of it."