In Blowout Win, Wall Showed Class

Opinion-- There's been a lot of flack coming our way for not calling out Wall for being "classless" or running up the score in their 78-0 win over district rival Grape Creek this past Friday.

To the naked eye, it would seem similar to Lubbock Estacado's 84-0 dismantling of Lake View two weeks ago. But these games are two completely different animals.

Let's get this out of the way first: there wasn't a surprise onside kick by Wall. Surprise onsides are meant to be practiced at practice and not in games. They are meant for games where you may need an extra possession and want the element of surprise, not games like Wall's or Estacado's. 

Secondly, Wall pulled their first-string players before the first quarter was even over. Instead of Senior Quarterback Brock Rosenquist directing the offense for most of the game, it was Junior Garrett Bridgford. Instead of Casey Braden running the ball over a dozen times, it was Senior Receiver Caleb Thorpe. They put a receiver in to run the ball, something Estacado didn't do.

Estacado changed running-backs in that game and that was all. There was no mash-up of players in a different position than they're accustomed to. Starting Quarterback Bo Sims, along with numerous others, played the entire game for Estacado. 

Estacado also kept trying to pass the ball two weeks ago. In Wall's run-oriented offense, the Hawks threw just eight times. The backup QB Bridgford accounted for three-quarters of those passing attempts.

Oh they shouldn't throw at all? For Wall, most of the passing came in the first half while trying to get the inexperienced Bridgford some meaningful snaps on offense. Estacado kept throwing with their starters still on the field.

The difference in coaching styles is evident. Wall Head Coach Houston Guy pulled the starters in a game that was clearly at hand, while the same can't be said for Estacado.

Estacado put up over 500 yards on Lake View with their starters playing most of the game. Wall's triple-option offense ran the ball 37 times with 10 different ball-carriers. Bridgford and Thorpe accounted for 25 of 37 rushes. Even with their backups, the Hawks still managed 463 yards of offense in the blowout win.

What Wall did this past Friday wasn't classless. What Wall did this past Friday is how you're supposed to handle a blowout win with class.