ALPHARETTA -- For the first 37 minutes of Walton’s game against Milton at the Eagle’s Nest, it appeared the Raiders would have no problem keeping their undefeated record intact.
However, a late surge by the Eagles left Walton sweating, as the Raiders recovered an onside kick with 22.1 remaining in the game to earn a 28-23 triumph to remain in first place in Region 6-AAAAA.
Leading 28-10 with 11 minutes to go, thanks to the performance of quarterback Joey Windler, who was 8 of 14 for 153 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a pair of touchdowns, Walton was in control of the game. Windler’s biggest play was a completion to receiver Patrick Cosgrove that went 80 yards for the Raiders' final touchdown.
However, the Eagles, who have not beaten the Raiders (6-0, 5-0 6-AAAAA) since Oct. 28, 1994, found success behind the arm of backup quarterback Colin McElroy.
The sophomore, who missed the mark on four of his first five pass attempts, led the Eagles on two scoring drives in fourth quarter to close the gap.
Behind the running of Wesley Gaston, who gained 55 yards on 16 carries, the Eagles moved 13 yards on five plays for their a touchdown with 5:58 left in the game.
Trailing 28-17, McElroy, who threw for 196 yards, completed nine of his final 14 passes. One of the completions was an 11-yard touchdown pass to receiver Dai Jon Parker with 27.6 seconds left in the game to cut the lead to five points.
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