Wall Kicks Off District Against Llano With Injury Concerns

LLANO, TX — The Wall Hawks are coming off their first loss in 21 games as they start district play Friday against the Llano Yellowjackets.

Wall may also be without some of its top players as quarterback Gunner King and wide receiver Jager Thompson are questionable after injuries last week.

“They’re both progressing,” Wall head coach Craig Slaughter said. “They’re on the path to getting where they can play. The one thing great about Wall with our numbers and our depth, man, next kid up."

King would be a big loss as he has thrown for 1,675 yards and 19 touchdowns with three interceptions. He also has 262 rushing yards and three TDs. 

When King suffered a knee injury in the third quarter last week, junior Ian Reichenau stepped up and led a late touchdown drive to get Wall back in the game before the Hawks lost 34-26. 

"Reichenau played his tail off for us the other night," Slaughter said. His moxie showed from the second he was on the field and this week preparing our football team. If Ian Reichenau is under center this week, we are going to run our offense.”

Thompson has 28 catches for 500 yards and two TDs, and he’s a big threat in the return game, so his absence would put pressure on other playmakers to step up.

No. 4-ranked Wall (5-1) is coming off its first loss since the 2024 state semifinals. If ever there was a good time for a loss, having it right before the district opener to refocus for Llano (4-2) could be beneficial.

“Part of the sport is it happens to you, and you’re on to the next week,” Slaughter said, “For us, it’s a good one. Llano went 13-2 last year, and this game has been one of our goals since last spring when it came out. They want to win district, we want to win district, and this is a big step in that direction.”

Slaughter knows a thing or two about Llano having coached there in the past. Last season, the Yellowjackets reached the state semifinals, where they lost to eventual state champions Yoakum. Llano also brought back its quarterback, Luke Davis, who was the preseason district offensive MVP.

The Hawks have played extremely well this season, maybe better than expected. This offseason, the they moved up from 3A Division II to 3A-DI and have faced a tough pre-district schedule. They started off the season against 4A-DI Canyon West Plains and won on a last-minute touchdown from King to Braylon Nelson. In Week 2, the Hawks faced 6A La Joya and while they may have been favorites in that game, a 3A team beating a 6A team is impressive, especially by a score of 55-14. Wall then faced Jim Ned and Ozona in back-to-back weeks and rolled to wins of 49-13 and 51-6, respectively. In Week 5, the Hawks beat 4A-DI Midland Greenwood, 31-13. 

The Hawks' offense has been incredible this season. In six games, they’ve produced 2,806 yards, which is 467.6 yards per game. Opposing teams can’t really sell out to stop the run as five different receivers have over 200 yards, and if they back off to protect against the pass, the Hawks have 950 rushing yards behind an offensive line that is helping produce 158.3 rushing yards per game.

All five of the Hawks' wide receivers are averaging over 14 yards per catch. Nelson leads the team in that respect with 22.8 yards per reception. Evan Boehle and Hudson Surber both are big plays waiting to happen with Gunner Garza out of the backfield who can take it to the house. As far as scoring goes, the Hawks are putting up over 42 points per game.

While the Hawk offense has been impressive, so has the defense. They have given up just under 20 points per game. Kaden McFarden has flown around for the Hawks and has 61 tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and one caused fumble. Slayton Hallmark leads the team in tackles and is always around the ball, and Kalen Sanders leads the team in picks with three interceptions.

This Llano team will be tough to stop, especially at home.

Slaughter said, “I saw this summer that they’re 29-3 over their last 32 games at their place coming into this season. I have a ton of respect for their program. I know how tough their kids are. It’s a football community, and there is a toughness that there. You can see it in how they play. Their quarterback is a competitive dude.”

Llano quarterback Luke Davis has gone 60-of-100 for 959 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. On the ground, he’s got 80 carries for 349 yards and 10 scores. Sophomore running back Cole Landers has taken 110 carries for 900 yards and four TDs. Wide receivers Cash Lynch and Isaac Rhea have 676 yards and 10 TDs combined.

Evan Gomez leads the team with five sacks, and Emerson Pool has snagged three picks. Jason Cherry leads the team in tackles with 58.

The Yellowjackets are sure to give Wall a difficult time, but also, let's not forget while Llano lost in the state semifinals last year, the Hawks went on to win it all. Both of these programs expect to win.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in Llano.