Mason-Wall Takeaways: What We Learned from the Goliath-Goliath Matchup

WALL, TX-- While Mason took home a big win Friday night in Wall, both sides were able to see how they compete with the best in the state.

Here are the biggest takeaways from Mason 27, Wall 21:

Mason is Already in Midseason Form, if Not Close

Last year, Mason's defense could stop a runaway train. They allowed an average around five points per game. You couldn't find a better defense last year.

Wall’s patented veer offense is difficult to stop, however. Even in their lone loss to Brock in 2017, the Hawks were still able to have a good amount of success offensively.

Mason was able to do that throughout the night.

They held the Hawks to just 173 yards rushing, in fact. It was only once the Hawks took to the air that Mason was forced to play back and not key on the run.

Mason also found another gear in their offense, posting 427 yards of total offense.

Winning like Mason did showed the Punchers are ready for a deep run in the playoffs.

New Look Hawks Have a Lethal Passing Game

If the Hawks can rely on their ground game throughout the season, you won’t hear any complaints.

Controlling the ball usually means controlling the clock. Controlling the clock typically means winning ballgames.

However, the Hawks needed to brush Mason back last night, trailing 14-0 and having less-than-usual production on the ground.

A touchdown run from Mason Kindle showed the Hawks can run the ball.

But they were still struggling to get past Mason’s stout defense on the ground. That meant the Hawks had to break from their tendency and throw it.

Junior Mason Fuchs engineered that comeback by completing 7 of 13 passes for 206 yards, far more than Wall is used to.

Fuchs showed comfortability throwing to Coleman Coon. In fact, Coon had six of those seven completions for 151 yards. Hunter Teplicek had the other 55 on a long completion in the 4th quarter.

Having a solid passing game will likely open up the Hawks run game and allow Wall to pound the ball up the middle.

Mason is a State Championship Contender

Normally week 1 shows how far a team has to work for their season goals.

Mason’s win showed they should be a favorite to at least challenge for their first state title since 2011.

Wall is always a power in Class 3A Division I, two divisions higher than Mason.

Klay Klaerner put up 182 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He wasn’t their feature fullback last year.

Otto Wofford showed good command of the offense. Ethan Powell showed the ability to be a deep threat for Wofford.

Their defense showed they can make big stops when they count the most against one of the toughest offenses to defend.

Aside from Refugio, Mason won’t see tougher competition once the postseason rolls around.

Mason also faces 3A foes Johnson City and Sonora in the next two weeks. That tough schedule will either add to the Puncher’s case for being viewed as a contender.

After last night’s display, it would be surprising not to see Mason at AT&T Stadium in December.