PINE-RICHLAND'S WALKER GREAT ATHLETE

CLICK FOR GAME STORY

WARREN – When Bradford meets Pine-Richland in the PIAA Class AAA semifinal a name that might be called often is that of Pine-Richland wide receiver Neil Walker.

Walker, the NSN Sports WPIAL Class AAA Player of the Year, has had a tremendous season with 60 catches for 967 yards and 10 touchdowns while scoring 18 total touchdowns.

But as good as Walker is in football, baseball is his sport. Walker is considered one of the top catching prospects in the nation and has already signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Clemson.

"He has been ranked the No. 1 catcher in the United State by one of the national ranking people," Pine-Richland football coach and Athletic Director Clair Altemus said. "That is only going to help in the amateur draft (in June). He comes from a baseball family. His dad Tom played in the major leagues, and his brother is in the (Detroit) Tigers organization. But at the same time he loves football."

Walker’s father Tom played six years with Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and California Angles from 1972-77 compiling a pitching record of 18-23 with 11 saves in 191 games with an ERA of 3.87. The Baltimore Orioles drafted him in the first round in 1968.