Wall Hawks Survive Defensive Battle to Beat Bowie in Playoff Opener

CISCO, TX — Wall head coach Craig Slaughter said he knew the Hawks would face a more difficult path to the state title in their new playoff bracket in Class 3A Division I.

Wall experienced that challenge immediately Friday in its playoff opener against Bowie.

The No. 4-ranked Hawks had a battle on their hands, even against a fourth-place qualifier like Bowie, which kept the game close much of the night before Wall pulled away for a 24-7 win.

The game was tied 7-7 in the final minute of the second quarter when Tyler Klinesmith connected on a 34-yard field goal to give the Hawks a 10-7 lead at halftime.

Wall didn’t finally put some distance between itself and Bowie until Kaden McFarden finished off a drive with a 2-yard TD run with 3:23 left in the third quarter.

Gunner Garza then iced the game with a 47-yard TD run with 2:14 remaining in the fourth.

While Wall’s offense took a while to get going, the Hawks’ defense stepped up with one of its best performances of the season.

Wall improved to 10-1 and moves on to play Sweetwater (8-3) in the area round next week.

This story will be updated.

Wall 24, Bowie 7

Bowie   0   7   0   0 — 7

Wall   0   10   7   7 — 24

Second Quarter

W - Evan Boehle 18 pass from Gunner King (Tyler Klinesmith kick), 11:09 remaining

B - Bradly Horton 28 pass from Finn Riddle (kick good), 2:05

W - Klinesmith 34 field goal, :34

Third Quarter

W - Kaden McFarden 2 run (Klinesmith kick), 3:23

Fourth Quarter

W - Gunner Garza 47 run (Klinesmith kick), 2:14