Wall Hawks Carry Sky-High Expectations Into 2025 Football Season

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

GRAPE CREEK, TX — Tanner Thiel believes this year's Grape Creek football team has the chance to make school history.

The ninth-year Eagles head coach oversaw the program's first share of a district title in 2021, and he led them to their fourth playoff appearance last year.

One accomplishment that has eluded Grape Creek since it opened its doors 27 years ago, however, is a playoff trophy.

With an exciting group of returning — including six starters back on offense and five on defense — Thiel thinks this could be the year that drought ends.

“We've been to the playoffs, but we haven't won that first one, and so that ultimately is our goal. We think we're good enough that we can get kind of the monkey off our back and get that first playoff win,” Thiel said. 

Leading the Eagles' returners is running back Sire Garcia, who had 1,260 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Garcia was also a first-team all-district inside linebacker.

“Our kind of workhorse the last couple of years is Sire Garcia," Thiel said. "He's a two-way starter and he makes our offense go. A big playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.”

Braley Woods (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) will take over at quarterback after being named last year's district Utility Player of the Year.

“A really good arm, and a really big kid," Thiel said. "He’s actually our leading receiver coming back because he played tight end with us previously."

Thiel called outside linebacker Chris Duron "an animal" on defense and one of the team's leaders.

Tight end/safety Gabe Santillan and slot back/defensive back Randy Rodriguez are both two-way standouts.

“We really feel like they’re gonna be special players for us this season," Thiel said. 

Grape Creek went 4-7 last year and finished in a three-way tie for second place in District 4-3A Division II. The Eagles' season ended with a 42-26 loss to Crane in the first round of the playoffs.

“We feel like this year, instead of losing those close games, we feel like we should be able to win those close games," Thiel said. "So we're to the point where we're not satisfied with keeping them close.”

“I think that this is the type of year that basically turns people's heads about Grape Creek.  think our community, our school, our alumni, I feel like this is a year that we can really make them proud. This group of kids that we have coming out this year is some of the best that we've ever had. Talent-wise, top to bottom, it's by far the most talented group that I've had since I've been at Grape Creek.

“I think the main word that comes to mind when I think of our community and our school and our alumni is pride. I think they'll be able to take a lot of pride in the kids that we put out on the field this year.”

Grape Creek Eagles

2025 schedule

Aug. 29   San Saba

Sept. 5   at Reagan County

Sept. 12   at Bangs

Sept. 19   Colorado City

Sept. 26   Tahoka

Oct. 3   at San Angelo TLCA

Oct. 10   at Coahoma*

Oct. 17   Stanton*

Oct. 24   at Wall*

Oct. 31   Merkel*

Nov. 7   OPEN

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