Defending State Champion Wall Embraces New Challenge After Historic Season

WALL, TX — After finishing 16-0 and capturing its first state championship, Wall enters the 2026 season in a new classification, a new district and with a roster replacing the majority of its starters from last year.

Defending a state championship will bring a new set of challenges, but head coach Craig Slaughter said the program's expectations have not changed.

"You know, the culture of our program, the culture of our winning success, our kids show up to win," Slaughter said. "There are some serious players and some amazing kids walking out those doors, but we have some serious players and some amazing kids walking in our doors."

Wall returns only three starters on each side of the ball after graduating a large senior class, but many of the newcomers gained valuable varsity experience during last season's lopsided victories and benefited from practicing throughout the Hawks' extended playoff run.

Leading the offense will likely be quarterback Gunner King, who served as the backup last year behind one of the best quarterbacks the Hawks have ever had in Landon York. Slaughter praised King's leadership and said teammates have already rallied around him throughout the offseason.

"Gunner is extremely respected," Slaughter said. "He's a tremendous proven player, tremendous leader. He's the one getting the guys together and working on his game."

King inherits an offense that lost several key contributors, but Slaughter expects returning playmakers like wide receivers Evan Boehle and Jager Thompson, along with running back Gunner Garza, to help ease the transition. He also pointed to sophomore slot receiver Hudson Surber as a player to watch.

"He's a special kid, special talent," Slaughter said. "You'll know him before long."

Surber was a key contributor for the Hawks on the track last season and should add just as much, if not more, on the gridiron this fall.

Replacing four starting offensive linemen and numerous defensive standouts will be one of the team's biggest challenges. Slaughter said the coaching staff expects younger players to grow into larger roles as the season progresses.

"For us to do what we want to do, we've got to let Gunner King make a mistake or two," Slaughter said. "As a team, we have to grow and make plays. There are going to be some mistakes, but we need those guys to grow into what they can be."

On the offensive line, Gage Jacoby anchors the line as the only returning starter. Slaughter said it will likely be four juniors surrounding Jacoby, but the battle for those spots is still to be determined. Slaughter said that the coaches expect physicality and toughness during the first few weeks of practice to get those positions nailed down.

On defense, Wall graduated all but three starters. Outside of guys like Mason Steen, who is the only returner from last year, Slaughter said to look out for Kaden McFarden off the edge, Lawson Dankworth in the middle, and other guys on the defensive line that will rotate in and out this season.

At linebacker, Wall must replace Jacob Braden, who was the heart and soul of the defense last season, not to mention the hero of the state title game. Braden dove on the final onside kick to seal the victory for the Hawks back in December. Slayton Hallmark is the only linebacker returning this season, but Slaughter said there are a few more guys to look out for at the position.

“There are three kids that will be looked at,” Slaughter said. “There's a kid named Rhett Butler who's going to be a junior. There's a kid named Kazen DeLong who's going to be a senior, and then there's a kid that moved over from town, Jaxson Kennedy.”

Finally, in the secondary, there are still more changes to come. The main guys to look out for are Brady Neal (not to be confused with last year's running back who graduated) and Kalan Sanders at safety, and then Christian Kemp, Blaize Benson and Tyler Klinesmith working out at cornerback.

The Hawks also face a more demanding path after moving to Class 3A Division I and joining a district that includes Llano (a state semifinalist from last year), Early, Ingram Moore and TLCA San Angelo.

Slaughter acknowledged the district will be the most difficult Wall has faced in several years.

"It'll be a tougher journey," Slaughter said. "I think part of that is fun and exciting. You're coaching the Wall Hawks, defending state champs, and I'm excited to go with this new group of kids and see what we can do."

The increased competition also raises the importance of winning the district title. Slaughter noted that earning a district championship would delay facing another district champion in the postseason, making playoff seeding even more valuable.

"It's a huge deal," Slaughter said. "If you win your district, the advantage is you don't see another district champion until the third round."

Wall's nondistrict schedule offers little opportunity to ease into the season.

The Hawks open against Class 4A Division I's No. 10-ranked team, Canyon West Plains, before facing Class 6A La Joya, rival Jim Ned, state-ranked 2A D-I Ozona, state-ranked 4A D-I Midland Greenwood and private school power Midland Christian.

Slaughter called it the toughest schedule of his coaching career but believes it will prepare his team for another postseason run.

"I don't mind challenging our kids, because it's about winning in November and December more than winning in August and September," Slaughter said.

Despite the graduation losses and difficult schedule, Slaughter said Wall's goals remain unchanged.

"I want our program's culture and DNA to show," Slaughter said. "We're tough, competitive and have talented kids. I don't really know specific numbers of wins and losses. We just went 16-0, and until different, I want to win them all. I want us to defend the standard of our program."

Wall kicks off 2026 at home against West Plains at 6 p.m. Aug. 28.