It was domination from start to finish for the Wall Eagles on Friday as they powered their way to the 9A state football championship. On offense, defense, and special teams, Wall performed like a well-oiled machine as they defeated Howard 60-6 for the title.
In the yardage category, Wall had 478-yards of total offense. For Howard, they had 78-yards of total offense in the game.
For Wall, this is their fourth state football championship with their last one coming in 2022. The past two years have come up short, but this year they reached the pinnacle in explosive fashion.
“We just talked to them too, you’re going to be remembered forever, let’s go be legends and today I think they were,” said Lex Heathershaw, Wall head coach.
The Eagles received to start the game and they wasted no time in getting things started. Kean Hofer broke off a 45-yard run down the sideline on the first play from scrimmage, which was followed up on the next play by a nine-yard keeper from Tanner Volmer into the end zone.
Howard went three-and-out on their opening drive. A 32-yard punt return by Austan Kjerstad set Wall up with excellent field position for their second drive. It was then Jace Mohr who took it in on the next play for a 23-yard touchdown run. With just three offensive plays for the Eagles to this point, they led 14-0.
The Tigers offense continued to move backwards on their second offensive possession, leading to another punt. A few plays later, Mohr found space again, breaking tackles and maneuvering through past defenders for a 48-yard touchdown.
Offensive struggles continued for Howard with yet another three-and-out. Wall would score again in the first quarter when Volmer hit Teelan Kjerstad for a 35-yard end zone strike.
End of the 1st Quarter | Wall 26 Howard 0
Three minutes into the second quarter, the Tigers got on the board capping off an eleven play, 67-yard drive with a one-yard quarterback sneak by Drew Maier. The two-point conversion failed, to get it to a 26-6 game. But four plays later Wall scored right back with a pass from Wolmer to Kjerstad for a 17-yard score. The two-point conversion following the Eagles touchdown was unsuccessful.
Wall’s defense then forced another three-and-out to get the ball back quickly. On their first play of their next offensive drive Volmer hit Dawson Handcock for a 74-yard touchdown. After the two-point conversion, the Eagles led 40-6 with 5:10 to play in the half.
The Eagles would score again late in the half when Volmer hit Younger Amiotte for a 27-yard touchdown.
Halftime | Wall 47 Howard 6
With the score margin being 35-points or more, the second half started with the running clock implemented. The Tigers got the ball to start on offense, but it was more of the same as we saw in the first half as Howard had struggles with getting a push up front. Amiotte would strip sack Maier, which was recovered by Ryon Bielmaier. On the first play following the turnover, Volmer kept it for a 22-yard touchdown run.
End of the 3rd Quarter | Wall 54 Howard 6
Two-and-a-half minutes into the fourth quarter, Mohr broke free again for Wall, this time from 35-yards out. This made it a 60-6 lead for the Eagles.
Kolt Becker fumbled it on the next Tigers possession, forced by Joe Trask and recovered by Owyn Geigle to give Wall the ball back.
Final | Wall 60 Howard 6
Eagles quarterback Tanner Volmer finished the game with 7 of 8 passing for 176-yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 65-yards and two scores. Wall running back Jace Mohr, who was named the Joe Robbie MVP, had 211 yards of rushing and three touchdown runs.
“I think we were more locked in during the offseason, just the work we put in,” said Mohr. “Early morning lifts, Monday nights on the field. You’re only as strong as your weakest link and I think we proved we’re a team tonight.”
“We just kept climbing. It’s something we talked about all season, just keep climbing,” explained Wall coach Heathershaw. “Well, we’re at the top now. The climb was pretty nice and we’re going to enjoy the top as well. Really proud of our guys and what they were able to do today.”
The Wall Eagles have now won four state football championships. They won it in 2022, and then also had titles in 1990 and 1994.
2025 was also a 9A record setting year for Wall as they scored 656-points on the season. This broke the point-scoring record of 637 set by Wolsey-Wessington during the Warbirds 2014 campaign.
Outstanding Back | Jace Mohr (Wall)
Outstanding Lineman #50 (Wall)
Joe Robbie MVP | Jace Mohr (Wall)
