WALL, TX — The Wall Hawks exceeded expectations last year when they immediately took flight with their new spread offense.
Led by first-year quarterback Landon York, the Hawks averaged 42 points per game and amassed nearly 3,900 yards through the air on the way to the state semifinals.
With York among the seven starters back on offense, expectations are now as high as ever for what Wall could accomplish.
The Hawks are ranked No. 3 in the state in Class 3A Division II, and head coach Craig Slaughter said everyone is embracing the opportunity in front of them.
“I’m excited, the kids are excited, the town’s excited,” Slaughter said. “We’re in the discussion like we are a lot of years. We did a lot of good things last year, but now we have to go prove it all over again, and we want to take another step.”
In addition to York (3,767 passing yards, 48 TDs), Wall returns three wide receivers, led by Reid Robertson (60 catches, 913 yards, 12 TDs).
Evan Boehle (42 catches, 714 yards, 9 TDs) and Kellan Oliver (26 catches, 350 yards, 5 TDs) are also back.
Wall’s offensive line was ranked No. 1 in Texas in 3A by Texas Football. The Hawks return three offensive linemen from last year’s team that allowed only one sack during the entire season.
All-state senior center Reid Ballard, along with senior guards Baine Jenschke and Ryan Scondolari, also return. Senior Will Aldridge and junior Gage Jacoby are favorites to start at tackle.
“We’re losing a couple really good tackles that played outstanding for us … but we feel really good about the kids that are about to get a bigger role on this team,” Slaughter said.
The only real question mark on offense is who will take over at running back. While Hagyn Barbee and Jager Thompson have seen time in the backfield before, Slaughter said he’s not sure if they’ll be the frontrunners. Instead, they could replace the X-factor role that Briggs Jones provided for the offense.
“We want those kids to get a combined 15 to 20 touches a game. How they get them, that may vary,” Slaughter said.
Brady Neal, Tayson Stucker and Kyler Oneal are other players to keep an eye on in the running game.
On the defensive side, Wall faces much more uncertainty with only four returning starters. The Hawks will have to replace some pillars such as linebacker Ethan Michalewicz and defensive lineman Brylan White.
“It’s probably the biggest rebuild since I’ve been here,” Slaughter said. “But we have good athletes and smart kids. There’ll be a lot of kids people may not have heard of … but we have another great group of players waiting in the wings.”
Wall went 13-2 last year, losing only to Brownwood (17-7) in nondistrict play and to eventual state champ Gunter (42-32) in the state semifinals.
The Hawks have another stacked nondistrict schedule that begins Aug. 29 at home against Mason. They also have a rematch with Brownwood and games against Jim Ned, Monahans, Sweetwater and Idalou before beginning District 4-3A Division II play.
Wall Hawks
2025 schedule
Aug. 29 Mason
Sept. 5 at Brownwood
Sept. 12 at Jim Ned
Sept. 19 at Monahans
Sept. 26 Sweetwater
Oct. 3 at Idalou
Oct. 10 Merkel*
Oct. 17 at Coahoma*
Oct. 24 Grape Creek*
Oct. 31 OPEN
Nov. 7 at Stanton*
*District 4-3A Division II game
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