WALL, TX — Wall head football coach Craig Slaughter has all the confidence in the world in his team’s defense, which has answered every challenge so far this season.
Even so, when you’re preparing for an opponent scoring nearly 50 points per game, it’s a cause for concern.
Wall’s third-round playoff opponent, Littlefield, is averaging 49.1 points, and they’ve hit the 70s on two occasions.
Slaughter knows his defense will have to be ready to play and play fast.
“They’re extremely up tempo,” Slaughter said. “They’ve put a ton of points up. They’ve scored 589 points in 12 games, and that’s no joke. They’ve done a great job of consistently getting the ball in the end zone.”
No. 4-ranked Wall (11-1) and Littlefield (8-4) will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at Sweetwater’s Mustang Bowl in a Class 3A Division II regional semifinal.
Making the matchup even more interesting is the fact that Littlefield quarterback Chip Green is the son of one of Slaughter’s closest friends.
“It’s a small world. Me and Chip’s dad were college roommates. We were at each other’s wedding,” Slaughter said. “He’s a phenomenal kid. He’s a tough, athletic football player, and he’s a great decision maker. … I’ve cheered for him at regional track meets, so it’s a unique deal.
“Me and his dad have texted a couple times, and we’ve said let’s not talk about the game at all this week.”
In last week’s second-round playoff win over Crane, Green was 12-of-14 passing for 177 yards and three touchdowns. He also had nine carries for 57 yards, and he even returned a punt 55 yards for a TD.
Green is in his fourth year as Littlefield’s starting QB.
Wall may be the toughest defense Green has seen this year. The Hawks have allowed an average of 12 points per game, and the most they’ve allowed all season was in a 25-24 win over Jim Ned.
At every level of the defense, Wall has impact players like defensive lineman Brylan White, linebacker Ethan Michalewicz and defensive back Briggs Jones.
Wall also has a top-level quarterback of its own with junior Landon York.
In his first year as the Hawks’ starting QB — while operating the team’s new spread offense —York has performed better than any Wall fan could have hoped for.
York has thrown for 2,820 yards and 35 TDs with only six interceptions. He has completed 69% of his passes.
Slaughter said York also has a calm, steady demeanor when things aren’t going well.
“Our football team and coaching staff completely believes in that kid. He’s a special player, and he’s had an amazing year,” Slaughter said. “Now, he’ll be the first to tell you that we have a good offensive line, good backs, and good weapons on the perimeter. But he’s the guy starting each play with the ball in his hands.
“And this is Year 1 of this scheme for that dude. Him and our offensive coaching staff are having a great year.”
Perhaps one concern for Wall as it moves forward into the playoffs is the Hawks simply haven’t been in a close game since early in the season.
When they find themselves in a fourth-quarter game, whether it’s this week or down the road, Slaughter said he’s confident his team will respond.
“Our kids, and it's not a credit to me, it’s a credit to all the previous coaches that have been here. It’s the games their siblings have played in. Wall has played so many big games, and they’ve watched so many big games,” Slaughter said. “I really think our kids rise to the moment.”
The winner of this game will advance to the regional final next week, where they’ll play Canadian (9-3) or Idalou (10-2).
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