After a few years spent toiling in the darkness, Corey Walker is helping Portal football climb back into the light.
    Winless after the first six games of the season, the Panthers finally found their stride. Portal notched wins in three of its final four games and – while it fell just shy of the Region 3-A play-in round – looks like it will be ready to turn another corner in year two under head coach Cherard Freeman.
    “I think everyone is excited,” said Walker. “Now that we’ve seen that we can win, I think it helps to motivate us. We’re going to get back into the weight room, get stronger, and be ready for next year.”
    Before preparing for next season, Walker ended the current one with a bang.
    The junior running back rushed for 108 yards on nine carries and found the end zone twice in the Panthers’ 47-21 victory over Bryan County last Friday.
    Walker has been through a few offensive schemes in his time at Portal, but now looks right at home in the triple option.
    “I feel like I can help us win next year,” said Walker. “I’ll be a senior, so I want to do my best to be a leader. We got better this year, so we want to do even more next year.”