Gateway QB Brady Walker joins 6,000-yard club in rout of Kiski Area

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 13, 2017 | 11:42 PM

It was a historic night for Gateway senior quarterback Brady Walker. On his first pass, a 7-yard throw to junior receiver Jeremiah Joseph, he became the 11th passer in WPIAL history to surpass 6,000 career yards. He came into the game needing 7 yards.

Walker passed for 456 yards and six touchdowns as No. 5 Gateway cruised to 61-21 victory over Kiski Area in Section 5A Big East play at Antimarino Stadium Friday.

“It means a lot to me,” Walker said of the achievement. “Also, I thank my team. It's not easy to go for 6,000 career yards. It helps I was a three-year starter. It's a great honor. I want to thank my family, friends and God.”

Gateway coach Don Holl couldn't have been prouder of Walker and the achievement.

“We knew he was hovering around it,” Holl said. “You don't coach into those things, but we knew we would throw it a couple times at least. We knew he was going to get it. It's such a neat milestone.”

The Cavaliers (1-7, 1-5) fell victim to the big play. The Gators (7-1, 5-1) scored on plays of 41, 55, 56, 39, 49 and 64 yards.

Kiski entered the second quarter down 14-0, after a pair of Walker touchdowns.

The defense then breathed life into the team. With Gateway facing a second-and-1 from the Kiski 25, Walker dropped back to pass and was intercepted by junior linebacker Drew Dinunzio-Biss, who returned it 90 yards for a touchdown to make the score 14-7

Gateway answered immediately as Walker threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Joseph on the second play of ensuing drive. That made the score 20-7.

“Our kids always play hard,” Kiski Area coach Sam Albert said. “I'm proud of our seniors. They're a quality football team. They're better than us. You can't simulate their speed. They have playmakers.”

Kiski began the second half down 34-7 but determined to still put up a fight. Facing a second-and-8 from the Gateway 21, junior quarterback Ryne Wallace found Dinunzio-Biss, who broke several tackles on his way to the end zone for the touchdown to cut the lead to 34-14.

Gateway again answered quickly on the ensuing drive. Walker connected with junior receiver Courtney Jackson for a 49-yard touchdown pass to make the score 40-14.

Dinunzio-Biss led Kiski with 10 carries for 46 yards and one catch for 21 yards and one touchdown.

Gateway had a pair of 100-yard receivers. Jackson had eight catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Isaiah Cameron had six catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

D.J. Vasil is a freelance writer.

Tags: Gateway, Kiski School