Walker carries Cheyenne to win in ‘Duel in the Desert’ game

Cheyenne hadn't claimed a "Duel in the Desert" victory over Cimarron-Memorial in two years before Thursday's game.

Running back David Walker made sure to put an exclamation point in this year's edition of the rivalry.

The senior finished with 138 yards on 14 carries and had three touchdowns to lead the host Desert Shields past the Spartans 38-0 for the first time since 2012 in the opening Thursday Night Football game of the season.

"He was a big part for us last year before he ended up getting hurt in the fourth game of the season," Cheyenne coach David Cochran said. "People forgot about him, but he's a really strong runner. He was our best runner. We want to feed him the ball."

After a scoreless first quarter by both teams, Cheyenne quarterback Anthony McConnico connected with Deriontae Green on a 26-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter to give the Desert Shields a 6-0 lead.

Walker then took over for the Desert Shields, scoring two TDs in the second quarter to push the lead to 19-0 by halftime.

The standout had 90 yards at halftime and finished his night with a 12-yard touchdown with 9:04 left in the third before taking a sit for his backup.

"It feels pretty good to start off my senior year," Walker said. "I couldn't do anything without my lineman, though."

Cameron Myles added a receiving score for Cheyenne (1-0).

McConnico, who was 8 of 13 for 91 yards and two touchdowns, also had an 11-yard touchdown run in the third quarter for Cheyenne.

Tyree Riley had 17 carries for 106 yards for the Spartans (0-1), and teammate Gunner Stevenson added an interception.