2024 Preview: Walhalla Razorbacks

When it comes to success for Walhalla football, the Razorbacks are hoping that recent history repeats itself entering Chris Stone's second season as head coach this fall. Walhalla went 4-6 last season, matching the total of wins the program had in previous coach Padgett Johnson's first season in 2016.   After 2016, the Razorbacks posted a winning record in five of the next six years. That achievement was all the more remarkable considering that from 1996 to 2016, Walhalla never had one winning season. Stone believes the pieces are there to get the program back on the winning track.   "We've made a huge increase in the weight room. That's been a big point of emphasis because last year, we just got here, got to know each other real quick and then start playing football. Me and my staff didn't all know each other either," Stone said. "So we've had a year under our belt to get to know each other and figure out what our identity is, and it's the same for our guys. Having them together in the weight room all year has been big."   Two names that Razorback fans will likely hear more than any others come on either side of the ball in outside linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='867240' first='Silas' last='Parish'] and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1360186' first='Landon' last='Robinson'] (pictured). Parish was among the state leaders in tackles with 162 last season, while Robinson had more than 1,000 yards of total offense. In addition to his defensive prowess, Parish also led the team with an average of 6.6 yards per carry.   Stone said if he could go back and change anything from last season, it would be getting the ball in the hands of Parish more.   "We could have kept Landon fresher by letting Silas run a little bit more and also kind of keep them both in the mix," Stone said. "They run differently and it's really hard to get used to both of them going in the there. In the games that we had the most success, we kind of balanced them out better."   In addition to being talented running backs, Robinson and Parish have the luxury of running behind a massive offensive line. That line is led by senior center [player_tooltip player_id='1249841' first='Garrett' last='Simpson'] (6-foot-6, 320 pounds) and junior Connor Talley (6-foot-4, 330 pounds), two of four returning starters up front.   "I think we have one of the biggest offensive lines in the state and we're ready to go," Simpson said. "I feel like the running game is going to really strong for us with guys like Landon and Silas back there."   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='867240' first='Silas' last='Parish'] OLB/RB, 2025 - Parish is entering his fourth season as a starter and has 290 tackles over the past two years. Last season, Parish also had 12 tackles for loss and forced five fumbles. He saved his best game for Walhalla's biggest win last season as he rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns in the Razorbacks' win over Seneca. Defensively, he had 16 tackles and a fumble recovery as Walhalla snapped its 33-game losing streak in the rivalry.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360186' first='Landon' last='Robinson'] RB, 2025 - Robinson led Walhalla in rushing last season with 972 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry. At 6-foot and 210 pounds, Robinson has the power to run between the tackles but also has the speed to turn those into big plays. "I like to get downhill, but sometimes I like to go out in space and make guys miss," Robinson said. "I really just want to be an all-around back."   [player_tooltip player_id='1249841' first='Garrett' last='Simpson'] OL, 2025 - Center is often times the smallest position on the offensive line, but that's obviously not the case with Simpson. In addition to an intimidating presence size-wise, Simpson also has the mentality needed for life in the trenches. "I want to go 10-0 and I think we can. If I didn't think that way, what would be the point in going out there?" Simpson said. "We like to play fast and I think our work in the weight room will help there. We like to see those guys across from us get tired."   Witt Austin WR/FS, 2025 - At 6-foot-4 and 194 pounds, Austin provides a big target when Walhalla goes to the air. He's the leading returning receiver after catching 25 passes for 385 yards (15.4 yards per catch). Austin also had a team-high five touchdown receptions. On defense, Austin had 40 tackles and a team-high three interceptions.   FILM REVIEW   Connor Talley OL, 2025 - Walhalla's unofficial nickname over the years has been "Hogs" and if any group can relate to the nickname of the NFL's Washington offensive line in the 80s NFL, it's this one. Talley may be the biggest of the bunch, but he moves like a cat when it's time for a pull block.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Van Moxley FS - Moxley was second on the team with 141 tackles last season and led Walhalla in tackles-for-loss (18.5) and sacks (5).   Tanner Lowery QB - Lowery threw for 1,500 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions last season and was third on the team in rushing with 202 yards and one touchdown.   Chris Oglesby WR - Oglesby led the Razorbacks in receiving last season with 38 catches for 621 yards and four touchdowns.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Triston Woodland WR/CB, 2027 - With the graduation of Walhalla's two leading receivers from 2023, a door might be open for Woodland to contribute to the passing game as a sophomore.   Essien Nathan WR/CB, 2027 - As is the case with Woodland, Nathan might also have a chance to make a solid first impression as a sophomore.      Williams looks to step in at quarterback following the departure of Lowery. In limited action in 2023, Williams ran for 24 yards on three carries and passed for 119 yards. He also had 47 yards on six catches at wide receiver. In Williams' lone start at quarterback, he threw a 75-yard touchdown pass against Crescent. As starting point guard for the Razorbacks' boys basketball team in 2023-24, he averaged a team-high 14.6 points per game.

When it comes to success for Walhalla football, the Razorbacks are hoping that recent history repeats itself entering Chris Stone's second season as head coach this fall. Walhalla went 4-6 last season, matching the total of wins the program had in previous coach Padgett Johnson's first season in 2016.

After 2016, the Razorbacks posted a winning record in five of the next six years. That achievement was all the more remarkable considering that from 1996 to 2016, Walhalla never had one winning season. Stone believes the pieces are there to get the program back on the winning track.

"We've made a huge increase in the weight room. That's been a big point of emphasis because last year, we just got here, got to know each other real quick and then start playing football. Me and my staff didn't all know each other either," Stone said. "So we've had a year under our belt to get to know each other and figure out what our identity is, and it's the same for our guys. Having them together in the weight room all year has been big."

Two names that Razorback fans will likely hear more than any others come on either side of the ball in outside linebacker Silas Parish Silas Parish 5'9" | 180 lbs | LB Walhalla | 2025 State SC and running back Landon Robinson Landon Robinson 5'11" | 215 lbs | RB Walhalla | 2025 State SC (pictured). Parish was among the state leaders in tackles with 162 last season, while Robinson had more than 1,000 yards of total offense. In addition to his defensive prowess, Parish also led the team with an average of 6.6 yards per carry.

Stone said if he could go back and change anything from last season, it would be getting the ball in the hands of Parish more.

"We could have kept Landon fresher by letting Silas run a little bit more and also kind of keep them both in the mix," Stone said. "They run differently and it's really hard to get used to both of them going in the there. In the games that we had the most success, we kind of balanced them out better."

In addition to being talented running backs, Robinson and Parish have the luxury of running behind a massive offensive line. That line is led by senior center Garrett Simpson Garrett Simpson 6'6" | 310 lbs | OL Walhalla | 2025 State SC (6-foot-6, 320 pounds) and junior Connor Talley (6-foot-4, 330 pounds), two of four returning starters up front.

"I think we have one of the biggest offensive lines in the state and we're ready to go," Simpson said. "I feel like the running game is going to really strong for us with guys like Landon and Silas back there."

STARS SET TO SHINE

Silas Parish Silas Parish 5'9" | 180 lbs | LB Walhalla | 2025 State SC OLB/RB, 2025 - Parish is entering his fourth season as a starter and has 290 tackles over the past two years. Last season, Parish also had 12 tackles for loss and forced five fumbles. He saved his best game for Walhalla's biggest win last season as he rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns in the Razorbacks' win over Seneca. Defensively, he had 16 tackles and a fumble recovery as Walhalla snapped its 33-game losing streak in the rivalry.

Landon Robinson Landon Robinson 5'11" | 215 lbs | RB Walhalla | 2025 State SC RB, 2025 - Robinson led Walhalla in rushing last season with 972 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry. At 6-foot and 210 pounds, Robinson has the power to run between the tackles but also has the speed to turn those into big plays. "I like to get downhill, but sometimes I like to go out in space and make guys miss," Robinson said. "I really just want to be an all-around back."

Garrett Simpson Garrett Simpson 6'6" | 310 lbs | OL Walhalla | 2025 State SC OL, 2025 - Center is often times the smallest position on the offensive line, but that's obviously not the case with Simpson. In addition to an intimidating presence size-wise, Simpson also has the mentality needed for life in the trenches. "I want to go 10-0 and I think we can. If I didn't think that way, what would be the point in going out there?" Simpson said. "We like to play fast and I think our work in the weight room will help there. We like to see those guys across from us get tired."

Witt Austin WR/FS, 2025 - At 6-foot-4 and 194 pounds, Austin provides a big target when Walhalla goes to the air. He's the leading returning receiver after catching 25 passes for 385 yards (15.4 yards per catch). Austin also had a team-high five touchdown receptions. On defense, Austin had 40 tackles and a team-high three interceptions.

FILM REVIEW

Connor Talley OL, 2025 - Walhalla's unofficial nickname over the years has been "Hogs" and if any group can relate to the nickname of the NFL's Washington offensive line in the 80s NFL, it's this one. Talley may be the biggest of the bunch, but he moves like a cat when it's time for a pull block.

BIGGEST LOSSES

Van Moxley FS - Moxley was second on the team with 141 tackles last season and led Walhalla in tackles-for-loss (18.5) and sacks (5).

Tanner Lowery QB - Lowery threw for 1,500 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions last season and was third on the team in rushing with 202 yards and one touchdown.

Chris Oglesby WR - Oglesby led the Razorbacks in receiving last season with 38 catches for 621 yards and four touchdowns.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Triston Woodland WR/CB, 2027 - With the graduation of Walhalla's two leading receivers from 2023, a door might be open for Woodland to contribute to the passing game as a sophomore.

Essien Nathan WR/CB, 2027 - As is the case with Woodland, Nathan might also have a chance to make a solid first impression as a sophomore.