Connor Rooney’s breakout season leads him to claim Mid Bay News Defensive Player of the Year
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Connor Rooney’s junior season mirrored South Walton’s resurgence; steady, physical and increasingly hard to ignore.
The Seahawks linebacker emerged as the anchor of South Walton’s defense in 2025, piling up more than 100 tackles, making game-changing plays on special teams and helping lead the program to a 7-3 record and a second-round playoff appearance.
Along the way, Rooney’s effort in 2025 caught the attention of Mid Bay News readers, as he earned more than 47% of the vote to be named Defensive Player of the Year, capping a season that marked a major leap from his earlier role as a rotational player.
“My sophomore year, I was just, you know, just trying to get on the field, wherever I could,” Rooney said. “And this year was like, Okay, now I do something, not just trying to get on the field, but trying to be a guy that makes plays, makes a difference, and really contribute on the defense.”
That growth coincided with South Walton’s first true home season in two years after spending the previous year entirely on the road and for Rooney, walking onto the field at the Seahawks’ new stadium as a junior carried extra meaning.
“Oh, man, that’s exciting,” he said. “All the way games last year. I mean, I think, I mean, it didn’t really help the way we played last year… going seven and one at home last year, I think it was a big deal for the school and football team.”
Rooney’s production was consistent week to week, but several moments stood out. He contributed heavily on special teams, blocking punts and field goals, and delivered standout performances against rivals, including Freeport, which South Walton defeated twice in the same season.
“Oh, man, that was great,” Rooney said of the rivalry wins. “Just to be able to really, just right away, literally just put away shot from the very beginning.”
South Walton head coach Phil Tisa said Rooney’s emergence was evident early, but his understanding of the game ultimately set him apart.
“Knew kind of early on what he would be capable of, and just to see him grow and to learn the game, and then be able to translate into the way he plays on the field,” Tisa said. “To turn into, really, kind of a cornerstone of our defense. It’s been enjoyable to see that.”
Rooney said the recognition he received at season’s end reflected more than tackle totals.
“I think that, you know, looking at the paper, the stats on special teams, like the effort stuff, like the block hunts, the block field goals, definitely that Freeport game,” he said. “Have the number of tackles that I had weekend after weekend, I think that definitely helped.”
As South Walton prepares to move into a new Class 3A district in 2026, Rooney will return as one of the Seahawks’ defensive leaders. He said expectations are clear.
“We’re definitely optimistic. We’re excited,” Rooney said. “I have no doubt that we will make the playoffs, and I think that we should, as with our roster and our returning guys, there’s no reason we shouldn’t make the playoffs.”
Beyond high school, Rooney views football as a pathway rather than an endpoint. He said his goal is to play at the Ivy League level and pursue a business degree.
“My goal right now is to play football in the Ivy League, use football as a tool to get into school,” he said. “I love football, but obviously they’re just getting, like, past football, and I can use it as a tool to give me a great education.”
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