BRECKENRIDGE, TX — The Wall Hawks (10-1) and Childress Bobcats (7-5) traveled to Breckenridge’s Buckaroo Stadium on Friday, Nov. 18, for round 2 of the 2022 3A Division 2 UIL Texas Football State Championships. The Hawks soundly defeated the Bobcats 44-10.
The first quarter, Wall came onto the field strong and confident, quickly putting up two touchdowns. Wall’s triple option offense was potent and Childress’s defense had difficulty stopping it until the team made some adjustments late in the 1st quarter.
Childress was able to slow down Wall, forcing Wall to attempt conversions of two third downs while in the red zone threatening the Bobcat’s goal line. Unable to convert, Wall had to settle for two field goals instead of touchdowns. At the end of the half, Wall still lead comfortably by 20-3.
Wall’s defense was the star of the entire game, holding Childress from scoring a single touchdown in the first half. Early in the 3rd quarter Wall’s defense hammered Childress on multiple drives. Because Childress drives sputtered on a few three-and-outs attempting a running game, the Bobcats went to the air. The following sequence shows Wall’s strong coverage of the Childress passing game capped by a sack by Wall’s sophomore defensive end Brylan White (#12).
With the Childress offense stalled, the Childress defense was worn and tired. That’s when Wall’s offense went to work. Wall’s RB Nathan Pepper took the ball and broke free for an 18-yard dash to the end zone with 6 minutes left in the third. After the extra point kick, it was 30-3 with Wall leading.
Childress had to answer to stay in the game on the next drive. The Wall defense would not allow it. On 2nd and 19, it was #12 Brylan White again who led a cast of Hawks behind the line of scrimmage to take down Childress’ QB1 for another sack.
When the Hawks got the ball back, they quickly entered Bobcat territory. Then, #25 Garrett Guy took the ball for 15 yards by blasting through the middle of Childress’ defensive line. One play later, another sweep around the edge got Wall to the Childress 20. A chop block penalty against Wall pushed the Hawks back to the Childress 35. On a 3rd and 18, Wall was forced to pass. A pass interference penalty against Childress gave Wall their 15 yards back. At the end of the 3rd quarter, Wall was threatening to score again from the Childress 15-yard line and the score was 30-3.
The two sides traded interceptions at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Wall’s drive ended with an interception in the end zone. Three plays later, Childress returned the favor when Wall got their pick. Wall was able to capitalize on the Childress turnover putting 7 more points on the board, 37-3. But on the next Childress drive, the Bobcats finally scored a touchdown. After the successful point-after, the score was 37-10.
As the seconds ticked off the clock, it was becoming apparent that Childress had no path to victory. With 3:12 left in the game, Wall was threatening again from the Childress 27 yard line. Wall QB Gunnar Dillard fumbled the ball and Childress recovered. Then the Childress player dropped the recovered fumble and Wall recovered — all on the same play. After the ball was down, a Childress player was ejected from the game by the referees for unsportsmanlike conduct. After the refs walked the penalty off, Wall was still in possession on the Childress 14 yard line. Two plays later, Wall ran it into the end zone to increase their lead to 44-10.
Wall Hawks Head Coach Houston Guy congratulates his team after a 44-10 victory over Childress in the 2nd round of the 2022 playoffs.
Wall Coach Houston Guy said he was apprehensive coming into this game. Last week, Wall’s opponent Tornillo forfeited, effectively giving the Hawks a bye. After the strong performance in the 1st quarter, however, the coach’s concerns evaporated. He said he was proud at how hard the team worked over the break and, as tonight’s win shows, doesn’t believe the Wall Hawks missed a beat during practice these past two weeks.
Wall (10-1, 5-0) faces Idalou (9-3, 4-1) on Thanksgiving Day at a neutral site that has not been determined yet for the third round of the playoffs called the regional finals.
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