Photo by Brian McLean
By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
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ARLINGTON— The UIL Football State Championship weekend has reached the halfway point after Thursday’s nightcap between the Wall Hawks, looking for their first state title, facing off with East Texas power Newton Eagles who already have five titles to their name.
Wall dominated the first half, but things shifted after the break and they were held scoreless in the second half, opening the door for an Eagle comeback. However, the Hawks were able to hold them off in the final minutes for a 25-24 victory.
“It hasn’t set in yet,” head coach Craig Slaughter said after the game. “That was such a competitive game. We couldn’t breath with those guys’ explosive offense. I couldn’t be happier for these guys. It was a special year from the jump. We had a chance to play tonight and see a loaded Newton team and, not doubt, but know we better play well. And by God did our kids respond.”
Both teams got off to quick offensive starts in the first quarter, which was expected. The Hawks needed less than 90 seconds to find paydirt, after a long double-pass set up a two-yard touchdown run by Jacob Braden. That ended up being Braden’s only offensive stat, but he was the leading tackler on the defense with 14.
Newton responded right away, driving 68 yards on nine plays, capped off by a one yard scoring run by Deldrick Samuel on fourth and goal. Kendray Porter Jr. converted the two point conversion, giving the Eagles an 8-7 lead. Porter was the brightest star for the Eagles, rushing for 165 yards on 33 carries, and catching 3 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.
The next two drives looked completely different, as both teams were forced into quick three-and-outs. However, Wall’s Gavin Sisson was able to block the Newton punt, allowing Dylan Sellers to pick it up and score from 28 yards out. However, the two-point attempt was no-good, and after one quarter of play the Hawks led 13-8.
Sisson was named defensive MVP for his performance of 13 tackles and the crucial punt block.
From that point, it was all Wall as the defense came up with another stop to open the second quarter, and this time the Eagles were able to get the punt away. The Hawks started from their own 30 and quickly moved to the Newton 47 for Landon York to hit Reid Robertson on a screen pass that found the end zone after some fancy moves by Robertson. Again, the conversion was no-good, leaving the lead at 19-8.
Robertson received offensive MVP honors, receiving 5 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed a pass on the double-pass for 43 yards.
The domination continued on the ensuing drive when Kellan Oliver came up with a big interception, giving the Hawks the ball back in excellent field position. Nine plays later, facing fourth and goal, York found Robertson again on a five yard out route for the score. Again the conversion failed.
Both teams got one more possession to end the half, but neither team could do anything with it, and Wall led 25-8 at the break.
The Hawks were unable to replicate their dominance in the third quarter. After a defensive stop, the offense could not muster any momentum and they were forced to punt. Newton started at its own two yard line, and proceeded to go on a 16 play, 98 yard drive taking almost six minutes off the clock before Cavland Hunter finally punched it in from two yards out. Hunter then converted the two-point conversion, making the score 25-16.
The Eagle defense then came up with a massive three-and-out to get the ball back just before the end of the fourth quarter. However, a costly fumble with seconds to go in the frame gave the ball right back to the Hawks in plus territory.
Wall tried to reclaim momentum in the fourth quarter, but stalled in the red zone and missed a 38-yard field goal to give the ball back to Newton. The Eagles were able to move all the way to the Wall 24 yard line facing fourth-and-one, but came up short.
However, it was far from over. Six-plays later, Braylen Patterson came up with the big defensive play by intercepting York’s pass and keeping the Eagles alive. It took some time, and a big Hawk penalty to pull it off, but facing fourth and 16 from the 37 yard line, Samuel found Kendray Porter Jr in double coverage. Porter came down with it and scored along the sideline. The two-point conversion made the score 25-24 with just under two minutes to go.
Newton needed the onside kick, and caught a break when it took a weird hop and bounded through several Wall players. However in the mad scramble, the Hawks came up with the ball and were able to kneel out the clock, solidifying their first state championship.
