PREDICTION: Will Wall Beat Brock?

SAN ANGELO, TX-- It's the matchup everyone in the state was expecting, Wall (12-0) vs Brock (10-2).

Over the previous three years, this game has turned in to a competitive rivalry. Brock leads the all-time series 2-1 against Wall, but the Hawks got their first win over Brock in last year's Regional Final.

Do not let the two losses for Brock fool you. The Eagles are still a very dangerous team and have been running circles around teams in the playoffs.

Wall has yet to be stopped. They survived an early scare against Jim Ned last week and dominated Friona in the Bi-District round.

So in this clash of Goliaths, who wins?

Offense: Narrow Advantage to Wall

I like the Hawk's ability to control the clock with their triple option offense. That will be a major factor in the outcome of this game. Wall Head Coach Houston Guy said they need to be able to keep Brock's offense off the field. That will be done with a majority of the work coming from Wall's offense.

Last week, Wall scorched the Jim Ned Indians with 523 yards of total offense in an explosive showcase. That explosiveness was required by the Hawks following a start that saw Jim Ned take a narrow 14-7 lead in the second quarter.

The Hawks are also putting up 51.8 points per game this season and have put up 107 points through two games in the playoffs. Brock is averaging 44.8 points per game and put up 49 against a respectable Clyde team before putting 31 on a tough Shallowater team in the playoffs. I wouldn't expect this game to deviate much from the margin of the two team's averages.

One thing working in Brock's favor is their size. The Eagles boast multiple 300-pound lineman who could keep a stranglehold on the line of scrimmage against a Wall team that is smaller.

However, the Hawks have speed and that could counteract the size disadvantage Wall will face.

Defense: Flip a coin, it's even

On the surface, it seems as though Wall has a slight advantage with a 10.1 points allowed per game compared to Brock's 13 this season.

However, Brock has been better in the playoffs, allowing just 16 points through two playoff games. Wall has allowed 43 combined points through their two playoff games. That's where this kind of turns in to a wash.

Last week against Shallowater, a team averaging 46 points per game, Brock limited the Mustangs to just 13 points and let the state know they weren't playing around in the postseason.

Wall's defense, on the other hand, has created 31 turnovers this season which, if they can replicate that same production, will play right in to their offensive gameplan.

In order to win this game, Wall will need to avoid a slow start like they had against Jim Ned. Brock made Shallowater pay for their mistakes last week and will do the same to any team who makes those mistakes.

Wall has been sound in ball security, only turning the ball over twice with both times coming by interceptions.

This game has the makings for the best installment of the young rivalry and, as Coach Guy said, should be exciting. Look for a defensive battle and a Wall win.

Prediction: Wall 31, Brock 28