Wall Tops Ingram Moore to Complete Perfect Run Through District

WALL, TX — The Wall Hawks locked up their fifth straight district title Friday with a 37-17 win at home Ingram Moore.

Unlike in recent years, Wall had to navigate a much more difficult district this season, and the Hawks still weren’t assured of the No. 1 seed heading into their regular-season finale.

But Wall took control early with a 27-0 lead by halftime against a solid Ingram Moore team that came into the game with a 7-2 record. 

The Warriors had a chance to earn a share of the District 3-3A Division I title and potentially even steal the district’s top seed.

Instead, Wall improved to 9-1 overall and will open the playoffs next week against the No. 4 seed from District 4-3A, Bowie (5-5), at a time and site to be determined.

"Just really proud," Wall head coach Craig Slaughter said. "The last time we took the field, we had too many penalties and didn't play as physical as I knew we could. We really harped on them and worked hard during that off week. It wasn't a normal off week around our place, because I knew we could play better, and I loved how the kids responded. Our energy was up, and it was a great start to the game. We cleaned up the penalties, and I thought we played great."

Ingram Moore (7-3 overall, 2-2 in district) will be the No. 3 seed and draw Peaster or Vernon in the first round.

Wall quarterback Gunner King threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns, all of them in the first half to his talented stable of wide receivers — Evan Boehle, Jager Thompson, Lawson Dankworth and Hudson Surber.

Boehle hauled in a 21-yard TD pass on the game's opening drive, and Thompson turned a screen pass into a 44-yard score early in the second quarter.

Thompson had missed several games due to injury, and his return to the lineup was a welcome sight for Wall's offense.

"It was great to see him out there," Slaughter said. "He obviously impacted the game and made some special plays. He's a game breaker for sure."

Lawson Dankworth caught a 3-yard TD pass on third-and-goal to make it 21-0, and Surber got behind the defense for a 54-yard TD catch with 1:27 left before halftime.

Ingram Moore managed to make things interesting for a moment in the second half, however.

The Warriors' big-play wide receiver, Jason Stewart, had a 59-yard TD to finally break though Wall's defense, which didn't allow Ingram Moore to cross its 40-yard line for the first 31 minutes of the game.

Ingram Moore's William Symm then intercepted a pass and returned it to the 11-yard line, but the Hawks' defense stood strong to force a field goal.

Wall’s Gunner Garza then broke loose one play later for a 75-yard TD run to help put the game away. 

"I love that when we had that turnover, we held them to a field goal, and then we went and scored on that one-play drive," Slaughter said. "Momentum in sports is amazing when it's on your side, and it's brutal when it's on the other side ... and I did not want momentum to creep in there."

After Ingram Moore scored again on a 17-yard TD pass from Spalding to Kendal Boles early in the fourth quarter to make it 34-17, Wall's Tyler Klinesmith put the finishing touches on the win with a 42-yard field goal on the ensuing drive.

It was the 23rd consecutive district win for Wall dating back to 2021. Overall, the Hawks have won 25 of their last 26 games as they enter the playoffs looking to repeat as state champs.

They have a more challenging path ahead of them this time, however, after moving up a classification into 3A Division I.

"The road will be much tougher, including Round 1," Slaughter said. "Each step in this journey, you better be cranked up and you better play well. I'm excited. It'll be fun. We have a talented group of dudes. Our kids have put up a lot of numbers on that board back there with district and bidistrict and area (titles), and all the things you do. 

"And this group is ready to go leave their mark, too."

Garza finished with 10 carries for 115 yards, and he had two catches for 45 yards.

Surber had four catches for 83 yards, while Thompson had four catches for 78 yards, and Boehle had two for 53.

Wall 37, Ingram Moore 17

Ingram   0   0   10   7 — 17

Wall   6   21   7   3 — 37

First Quarter

W - Evan Boehle 21 pass from Gunner King (pass failed), 8:02 remaining

Second Quarter

W - Jager Thompson 44 pass from King (Hudson Surber pass from King), 8:41

W - Lawson Dankworth 3 pass from King (Tyler Klinesmith kick), 4:17

W - Surber 54 pass from King (pass failed), 1:27

Third Quarter

I - Jason Stewart 59 pass from Logan Spalding (Max Lane kick), 4:34

I - Lane 28 field goal, 2:47

W - Gunner Garza 75 run (Klinesmith kick), 2:32

Fourth Quarter

I - Kendal Boles 17 pass from Spalding (Lane kick), 10:16

W - Klinesmith 42 field goal, 6:29