HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Title time for Wall

Dec. 19--WALL -- The Wall Hawks have a yeoman's task in front of them.

That task is trying to unseat defending state champion Cameron Yoe in the Class 2A Division I state championship game Thursday on the biggest stage in the state.

Not only is Wall playing for its first state title, but the Hawks are playing at AT&T Stadium in a game televised live.

It is a situation the Yoemen, owners of a pair of state titles (1981, 2012), have been in before but Wall will be seeing for the first time, something that head coach Houston Guy is weary of.

"We have to keep them focused," Guy said. "I think we have an even-keeled team. As we go into these big games, I actually want to see more emotion and they just don't do it. That isn't in their nature. They are quiet and will stay focused on the task at hand. I think that is to their favor because they don't have those emotional downs either.

"I know that our coaches will feel it, our fans will feel it, and the kids will feel it once they get on the field. It is going to be an awe-inspiring moment. The feeling of 'Wow, we are playing for a state championship,' is going to hit them. It is going to happen as soon as they walk in and start warming up, but it will be something they will remember for a lifetime."

Guy said there is nothing the coaches can do to simulate what it will be like for the team, but keeping emotions in check will be key.

Unlike their opposition, Wall has been largely untested as it has run roughshod through its 15 opponents. The Hawks have outscored foes by nearly 500 points (677-189), which equates to an average score of 45-13.

Senior running back and defensive back Brent Matschek figured prominently in both of the Hawks' closest calls in 2013.

In a nondistrict game at 3A Sweetwater, the Mustangs had charged back and taken all momentum before Wall faced a pivotal fourth-and-two on its own 38 yard line, clinging to a 35-28 lead in the fourth quarter.

The Hawks went for it and quarterback Luke Dacy pitched to Matschek, who converted the fourth down, allowing Wall to put the game away later in that drive with an insurance touchdown.

The 14-point margin of victory (42-28) lasted as the closest call Wall had until the Region I final against Eastland.

Again Wall had a comfortable lead at one point, only to see the Mavericks score and recover onside kicks on consecutive possessions to put the Hawks' 34-28 lead -- and undefeated season -- in jeopardy late in the fourth.

Matschek provided the biggest play of Wall's season when he intercepted Eastland quarterback Josh Moylan to preserve the win with 1:24 to play.

Cameron Yoe had to rally to win each of its last two games and will be facing an unfamiliar offense Thursday.

Head coach Rick Rhoades said his team has not faced an option team since 2010, when the Yoemen played Marlin.

He said how his team handles the option is the key to the game.

"They're a very good football team," Rhoades said. "That's going to be a big test for our defense. ... You've got to be very disciplined. On every play you've got to know who's got the quarterback, who's got the dive and who's got the pitch."

Wall will attack the talented defense led by linebacker Somari Wright with a four-pronged rushing attack.

If fullback Clint Masters can surpass 16 yards on the ground, it would give the Hawks four 1,000-yard backs in 2013, a testament to Wall's dominance to keep defenses guessing.

"It's very, very difficult (to defend)," Rhoades said. "Our biggest challenge this week is giving our defense a great look (in practice) with our scout team. It's completely different from our offense, and they run it very well. They wouldn't be in the state finals if they didn't run it well."

Cameron Yoe will counter with a balanced offense that is comparable to former Wall playoff opponents Bushland and Eastland.

"Playing those teams really helps us," linebacker Kelton Niehues said. "It gave us experience with quick offenses and helps to know what they are going to do offensively."

Quarterback Jason Kopriva has passed for 2,897 yards and 46 touchdowns while being complemented by sophomore running back Traion Smith (253 carries, 2,203 yards, 26 TDs).

Colton Shuffiled leads the receiving corps with 1,106 yards and 14 TDs, although Wall defensive coordinator Jamie Walling said limiting the big-play ability of receiver Aaron Sims would be pivotal.

"They have no weaknesses," Guy said. "We watch (film) and look for areas you want to attack them, but everywhere you look you find kids that have had a lot of success and have been there before. It is going to take an effort from us and for us to be disciplined on both sides of the football. A lot of times a disciplined football team can beat a more talented football team."

As has been the case for most of the season, the Hawks best defense will be its clock-eating triple option flexbone offense.

Guy said he hoped to keep the Yoemen to three possessions in each half.

After falling painfully short of the title game last year with a 29-22 loss to Daingerfield in the state semifinals, Dacy and the Hawks were motivated to get past that point this year.

Now they are one win away from capping a perfect year.

"Everybody remembers what happened last year (against Daingerfield)," Dacy said. "We knew that night we didn't ever want to be in that position again. We've got one more game for 16-0 and a perfect season. It's going to be awesome if we can win this game. Just to come back from that loss and never lose another game would be great."

Follow Quinton Martinez on Twitter @qmartinez

Wall Hawks (15-0)

Regular Season

Opponent Score W/L

Coleman 46-8 W

Merkel 50-0 W

Sonora 35-14 W

Sweetwater 42-28 W

Brady 43-13 W

Grape Creek 79-6 W

Bangs 49-13 W

Early 55-7 W

Comfort 35-9 W

Ingram Moore 56-14 W

Playoffs

Opponent Score W/L

Breckenridge 42-18 W

Idalou 35-14 W

Bushland 42-14 W

Eastland 40-28 W

New Boston 31-3 W

Cameron Yoe (14-1)

Regular Season

Opponent Score W/L

Waco Connally 37-34 W

Lexington 47-0 W

Rockdale 51-33 W

Salado 57-28 W

Little River

Academy 41-10 W

Lago Vista 20-27 L

McGregor 55-13 W

Troy 41-0 W

Marlin 45-10 W

Florence 77-0 W

Playoffs

Opponent Score W/L

Edna 59-20 W

Aransas Pass 36-18 W

Troy 47-14 W

Hallettsville 28-26 W

White Oak 24-21 W

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