REMATCH: Wall Hawks Play Idalou Wildcats For Second Time This Season

SAN ANGELO, TX — The No. 2-ranked Wall Hawks (13-0) get a rematch with the Idalou Wildcats (10-3) in the Class 3A Division II state quarterfinals right here in town at 6 p.m. Friday at San Angelo Stadium.

The Wall Hawks are red-hot right now, scoring over 50 points in each of their three playoff games with a monster defense that has only allowed seven points in its playoff run. All season long, the Hawks have been playing out of their minds on defense. They’ve only given up two touchdowns over the last six weeks, and they've allowed 78 points all season long, which averages out to six points per game.

In their way stands Idalou, which Wall played in Week 6. That game was 14-14 at halftime before Wall ended up winning 35-21. In that game, Landon York went 19-of-29 passing for 307 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. The Hawks only managed 95 yards on the ground with Brady Neal rushing for 70. Neal, along with Jacob Braden and Dylan Sellers, all rushed for one touchdown each.

Defensively, the Hawks had seven sacks. Sellers and Ben Taylor had two apiece, while Slayton Hallmark, Bennett Branch and Koen Braden tallied one each.

Even with the standout defensive game, Idalou made it a game for all 48 minutes. The Wildcats were within 21-14 heading into the fourth quarter, giving Wall its only game decided by less than 25 points. In short, the Hawks cannot look past the Wildcats.

Idalou has beaten Dimmitt, Grape Creek, and, most recently, No. 6-ranked Canadian in the playoffs so far. Last week, Idalou jumped out to a 17-0 lead before Canadian scored 10 unanswered points in the second and third quarters. Idalou secured the win with another touchdown in the fourth for a 24-17 win.

On the year, York has gone 214-of-311 passing for 3,354 yards and 51 touchdowns with five interceptions.

The running game has been there for the Hawks this season. In total, they have 2,038 yards and 32 TDs. Neal is the lead back with 153 carries for 961 yards and 14 TDs. York comes in a distant second in yardage with 224 yards and three TDs. Gunner Garza is a close third with 215 yards and two scores. Kyler O’Neal, Hagyn Barbee, and Kaden McFarden each have over 100 yards with seven TDs between them.

Through the air, the Hawks have a ton of weapons but, by far, Reid Robertson is York’s go-to guy with 1,098 yards and 17 TDs. Kellan Oliver and Jager Thompson have 566 and 500 yards, respectively. Evan Boehle has added 416 yards and eight TDs, while Barbee has 326 yards and five TDs.

Putting up 50 points per game and 650 total, Wall does not have a problem scoring.

Defensively, the Hawks are just as stout with 22 interceptions, 32 sacks and 11 fumble recoveries.

Jacob Braden leads the Hawks in tackles with 129, and Dylan Sellers comes in second with 103. Six players have over 50 tackles for Wall.

Sellers has been pretty dominating on defense. In addition to his tackles, he leads the team with seven sacks. Branch has five, while Braden, McFarden, and Ben Taylor each have four. Koen Braden, Hallmark and Gavin Sisson have two, and Barbee and Tayson Stucker have one.

Levi King has been a ballhawk for the Hawks with five picks. Oliver and Sisson each have three, Gunner King, Barbee, Stucker, and Thompson all have two each, and Christian Camp, Braylon Nelson and Rhett Butler have one.

If it isn’t well known, it is now — this Hawks defense has been insane.

The winner of this rematch will advance to the state semifinals next week against No. 3 Gunter or Leonard. Wall lost to Gunter 42-32 last year in the state semifinals.