He’s been a member of the varsity team since midway through his freshman season. Now in his senior year, the Purple Tornado’s Drew Walsh had the game of his career a week ago against Oneonta, scoring five touchdowns with 290 on just 18 carries. Walsh also led his team on the defensive side of the ball, racking up 7.5 tackles, some coming when Norwich needed it the most.
That’s why Walsh is being named The Evening Sun Scholar-Athlete of the week.
“Drew [Walsh] is a kid that does everything the right way,” said his head coach Mike Chrystie. The statement holds true for more than just on the gridiron.
Following his phenomenal performance, Walsh gave the appropriate credit where is was due – his offensive line. “The holes were just gianormous,” said Walsh. “I have never seen them open up like that. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
After the holes opened up, Walsh powered through them with his speed for several big gains against the Yellowjackets, including his longest touchdown of the game for 64 yards. He also had a 59 yard score later in the contest. Both runs, he was untouched through on his way to the endzone.
“I thought our line did an extremely good job opening holes,” said Chrystie. “Drew did a great job finding the open space and hitting the hole hard.
“Drew is a tough match-up for a secondary player. I will take him in a one-on-one match-up against anyone.”
Seeing Walsh in one of the new Norwich grey and purple uniforms this season, something looked different about him. In the past seasons, Walsh has always had his strength due to his stocky stature. This year, he still has his strength but he appears to thinner.
Walsh is still running at the same weight but according to a family member, he has changed his eating habits to healthier options. It shows as he seems to be getting to the outside and up the field sooner than he did in the past.
“He prepares and competes in everything he does,” said Chrystie.
This holds true in the classroom as well. Walsh does well in all classes he has an outstanding grade point average.
Three weeks into his senior season, Walsh averages 154.3 yards on 14 carries per game with two rushing touchdowns.
At middle linebacker defensively, he is making 7.3 tackles per game, 5.7 coming as the only one to wrap the ball carrier up.
“Drew has been a quiet kid in past season but is becoming a more vocal leader this year,” said Chrystie. “He is stepping outside his comfort zone and has matured into a great team leader.”
As this is his last season as a Purple Tornado on the football field, Walsh will be off to college in June and more than likely will be in different colors next fall as he has several schools currently recruiting him. Some of those schools include smaller NCAA Division-I programs. It will be a waiting game to see what Walsh decides but he still has the 2018 football season to go out as one of the greatest running backs in Norwich Purple Tornado football history.