Joe Imel/Daily News Allen County-Scottsville senior offensive tackle Tyler Walker anchors the Patriots’ line this season. ACS opens the 2008 campaign on Aug. 30 against Glasgow in the T.J. Samson Community Hospital Bowl at Barren County High School.

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SCOTTSVILLE — When the pile of Patriot football players finally unraveled, the players trotted back to the huddle as usual. However, this time not everyone made it back.

Tyler Walker was lying on the ground grasping his knee.

“It hurts,” Walker said of his injury. “I didn’t know what to think when it happened.”

The offensive tackle was just a few weeks away from starting his senior season at Allen County-Scottsville when the injury occurred. But after being forced to watch practice through the first part of August, Walker said he is not going to let an injury slow him down in his final year.

“I don’t want to let my teammates down,” Walker said. “I am resting it and it should be fine when the season starts.”

The loss of Walker would have been a devastating loss for the Patriots on the offensive line. The man that is nicknamed “Moose” started all three years at ACS and is expected to start fourth.

Starting on the offensive line as a freshman is rare, but his large size at such a young age gave him an advantage and the ability to compete with the biggest guys on the team.

“It’s tough to be a four-year starter on line,” ACS coach Brad Hood said. “But he was a man-child from the time he was 5 years old. He probably started shaving at 7. He can grow a full beard over night.

“He came into high school at 6-foot-1, 240 pounds. And he works hard in the weight room and is a terrific football player.”

His 6-foot-2 and 275-pound frame makes him noticeable on the football field. But it is not just his size that has helped Walker become a success at ACS. It has also been his attitude.

“I feel he is one of the better linemen in this area, if not the state,” Hood said. “He’s got the love for the game and that is something that you don’t teach them. He has put in a lot of time and effort in this offseason to hopefully go to college and play football.”

Because of Walker’s experience, Hood considers Walker a coach on the field. Walker’s teammates look to him for leadership as well.

Corey Cooper is expected to begin his third year as starting quarterback and is glad to have Walker’s big body and experience on his side.

“It’s good to have him protecting me,” Cooper said. “I don’t have to worry much about by my skull getting crushed on the backside. He is a great player to have up front. He is a leader and he runs the offensive line. Things had better go right up there, or you have to answer to him.”

One of the biggest challenges facing Walker and the Patriots is the opening schedule. Walker wants to get off to a better start during his senior year then the 0-5 start last season.

ACS finished the season just 1-9 and face the same five opening teams to start this year.

“I want to do good this season,” Walker said. “Last season was well below what we should be. I am not thinking about anything else, not college or anything, just this season. This last three years have gone by so fast and I only have one year left and I want it to be good. I want to go out on a good note my senior year.”