O-R Athlete of the Week: Jamarie Walker, Washington
Name: Jamarie Walker
Grade: Senior
School: Washington
Sport: Football
Walker’s week: It was another strong week running the football for Walker, who had 168 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-14 win for Wash High against Brentwood in the Class A Black Hills Conference opener.
His three scores were part of six unanswered touchdowns by the Prexies, who remained unbeaten at 4-0.
“It felt good,” Walker said. “I wasn’t going into the game thinking I was going to get three touchdowns. We started out a little slow, but we picked up the pace around halftime and after that we just killed them.”
Walker’s good friend and teammate Ameer Nelson also had three touchdowns in the game for Washington.
It was another good showcase of the different styles of runners Washington has. Nelson and Ja’Quay Heyman are speedsters, while Trenton Grooms is a bruiser.
Walker feels he brings a little of everything in his style of running the football. He’s also a linebacker/safety on defense.
“I just feel like I’m a little bit of both,” Walker said. “I can run the ball and I can run over people to get yards. I like to do all that.”
Playing Clairton: Washington will host Clairton this Friday in one of the premier matchups in the WPIAL. It’s a game that features two of the top teams in Class A, and though it is not a conference game, it could prove to be big in terms of seeding for the playoffs.
“They’re definitely a good team, don’t get me wrong, but everyone on our team is ready to play,” Walker said.
Friday’s game is the Steelers High School Football Showcase Game of the Week and will be broadcast live on KDKA+.
Being on TV adds a little extra spice for Walker.
“This will be the first time playing on TV,” Walker said. “It feels good to be in that game and I want to make it my time to shine. I’m hoping to get some college offers, so I’m just going to go out there and do what I do.
Getting noticed: Walker went to a few college camps over the summer and has had some communication with a couple of schools, including Akron, but no offers yet.
He’s hopeful if he keeps doing what he’s doing the offers will come in.
“I’ve talked to a couple coaches here and there, but it’s all coming together,” Walker said. “I’m just going to keep running the ball hard and show the coaches at the next level that I’m ready.”
Big brother: Walker is the eldest sibling in a big family. He has three younger brothers and three younger sisters. He said he’s done his best to be a good role model for them.
“I love going to my little siblings’ games,” Walker said. “I have a lot of fun doing that. I’m trying to set (an example) for them. This is why I do what I do. It’s for them.”
A return to baseball: Outside of football, Walker is also on the basketball team and is planning to make a return to baseball this spring.
He played baseball in his youth and was a pitcher. He’s looking to return to the mound for the Prexies in March.
“I just like it and it looks like it’ll be fun,” Walker said about baseball. “I can throw the ball fast, so I just want to do that. The (Washington baseball) coaches are already working with me to get my arm for pitching this spring. I’m an active person, so after football, I go right into basketball and now it’ll be baseball after that.”
Compiled by Jerin Steele