Walker posts offbeat first for RedHawks

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: September 16, 2026

A player from Mountain Empire (left) attempts a flag pull against O'Farrell. / Nick Pellegrino

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FLAG FOOTBALL

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS senior writer

Abilene “Abi” Walker

SKYLINE — In traditional tackle football, when a school fields a team for the first time, the first-ever points scored typically come via a touchdown, although some first hit the scoreboard on a field goal.

In flag football, there is no kick-scoring, so touchdowns are the only way to go — or are they?

Following a shutout loss in its debut contest, Mountain Empire freshman Abilene “Abi” Walker became the first member of the RedHawks to register points in an unusual manner. The wide receiver *(on offense) and pass rusher (on defense) became the first player in XIF-San Diego Section history to hit the scoresheet with a safety.

“When I pulled the flag, I didn’t realize it was a safety at the time. I was just excited that I made a kind of sack when I was run-blitzing.”

Walker had the Bayfront quarterback in her sights, but the ball was then handed off. Nevertheless, Walker simply kept charging forward for the “tackle.”

“I was at first surprised, then shocked when I saw the points on the scoreboard,” she added. “Then all of my teammates surrounded me and was cheering — they were excited foe me.”

It seems appropriate for Walker to score the team’s first points, and for ther points to come on defense.

“I’m the only one on the team with any experience — I’ve been playing since seventh grade so this is my third season,” she noted. “Plus, my father (Jeremy Walker) is one of our assistant coaches on defense.”

Walker wears an unusual number — at least by flag football standards — wearing No. 73.

“It was my dad’s number when he played in Illinois,” she explained.

Flag football has transformed into a family affair, too. Walker’s mother is the chief statistician, while a younger brother — a sixth-grader — cheers on the team when not practicing his passing ability.

Such work ethic is carrying over to the rest of the Mountain Empire roster.

“We work together really well, even though we are a small school, but we keep getting better.”