Wall Eagles

Craig Mattick’s guest on In Play is longtime coach and administrator Merlin Doyle. One of the first officers of the South Dakota High School Athletic Directors Association when it formed in 1973, Merlin helped launch girls track and wrestling programs, coached basketball and football, and served as both principal and athletic director. He spent 31 years in the Wall School District. Joined by his wife, Mary Jane, Merlin—now 90—may not recall every moment, but his passion for the kids and the Wall community remains as strong as ever.

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 Wall, South Dakota, the population may sit just under 700 — but on game day, it feels like the center of the world. Get a behind the scenes look at how one of the best teams in 9-man football prepares for Friday night.

As summer winds down, school leaders from across the state are preparing their districts for the new academic year.

Wall won their third state football title in history on Friday in Vermillion at the Dakota Dome with a 34-14 victory over Parkston.

Wall High School paid tribute to Jaxon Klempel of Harding County on Friday night by displaying a No. 76 jersey on the stadium fence line. Jaxon Klempel, who would have been a senio