By Matt Gade

605 Sports

WALL — “Finish” 

That’s the mindset Wall senior lineman Riley Kerner said he and the Eagles are taking into this 2025 season.

Kerner and the Eagles dominated up front a season ago, as the team averaged just over 10 yards per carry and more than 250 yards rushing before the Eagles just missed out on making the Class 9A state championship, falling to Wolsey-Wessington 30-28 in the semifinals.

This season, Wall head coach Lex Heathershaw said this team’s mindset reminds him of the 2022 Eagles, who would go on to win the 9AA state championship that year.

“These guys were freshmen when we won in ‘22, so they had a little taste of it, but they didn't have to go through the adversity that that team did,” Heathershaw said. “That team had that heartbreaking loss to Howard (the year before), and really put a chip on their shoulder. And unfortunately, I wish we didn't have to have that chip on our shoulder, and wish we were there last year, but we just didn't play good in that first half (against Wolsey-Wessington), and they knew it, and felt like we probably should have been there last year. Hopefully, it just gives us motivation this year to make another trip back to the DakotaDome.”

Through the air, the Eagles threw for 1,316 yards, averaging over 119 yards per game and just over 19 yards per completion.

Kerner, who stands 6’4” and 315 pounds, is one of five seniors on the line coming back for the Eagles who said he and his teammates have emphasized finishing every play and every game.

That starts by dominating at the line of scrimmage. And for the first time since he can remember, Heathershaw said the Eagles’ offensive line looks like a typical lineman.

“We're not used to it,” Heathershaw said of having big linemen. “When we won the championship, I think we probably averaged 170 (pounds) up front, maybe 175 if we were lucky, but this year, we're like 235 up front and inside, on the guard-center-guard. We're even bigger than that. 

“So it'll be different for us. I think we'll have a little more inside-run game than maybe what we've had in the past, and hopefully just the ability to close some games too.”

Kerner will join returner Kyler Kjerstad at the guard positions, with fellow senior Brand Hilgenkamp taking over at the center position. Tight ends Trevor Schulz and Younger Amiotte round out the Eagles’ starting line.

“It's huge because they're bigger than we usually have in the past, which means they get it done a lot better up front,” senior running back Jace Mohr said of his blockers up front. “They're not as fast, but they can definitely move people easier. And it's just a lot easier for me to find holes, find gaps, they make space for me.”

Joining Mohr in the backfield is returning quarterback Tanner Volmer, who led the team rushing with 1,221 yards and 20 touchdowns. 

The Eagles also return their top target downfield in senior Dawson Handcock, who caught 21 passes for 529 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Eagles, for the first time since Heathershaw took over eight years ago, will be without a Blasius in the backfield with the graduation of Jace Blasius last spring.

“It’s the end of an era, we gotta find some guys that are ready to step up,” Heathershaw said. “Especially just that hard-nosed mentality. Hopefully, we can step up and fill that void.”
Heathershaw also noted it’s the first time a Blasius won’t be handling the kicking duties for the Eagles since taking over. But he’s excited that senior Emmet Dinger has come out to handle those duties this year for the Eagles.

Up front, Heathershaw said he likes the guys he has there, but feels a little bad for the guys on the scout team in practice.

“In practice, it's kind of funny watching our young guys. You kind of feel bad for them, but it's like you can see our scout team arguing over who has to go up front. Because with the exception of — we do have one of our starters, who doesn't start offensively — Ryon Bielmaier, gives us a great look every single day. But other than that, you got some of those young guys having to see that 250, 300 pounds coming at them every play on the scout team, and it's like… man, the holes are huge. 

“We play teams like Philip and Harding County, they won't be quite as big holes. But at camp this summer, it was just nice to be able to see Jace and Tanner have some truck-size holes.”

Kjerstad, who is listed at 6’3” and 250 pounds, said almost as soon as the season ended last year, he hit the weight room because he wants a state title.

“We are very motivated,” Kjerstad said about heading into the 2025 season. “We've all taken a step up in getting bigger, faster and just smarter, getting our plays down.”

Kjerstad said having played with the same guys up front for a while now makes it easier for them to trust each other to get their assignments correct.

Kerner admits he didn’t know all of the plays a season ago until about midway through the season. Often, he had to ask his teammate where he was blocking.

“It's good that we have that connection with each other to help each other out,” Kerner said. 

Defensively, the Eagles rotate the guys on the line with Bielmaier so as not to wear them down throughout a game. 

A season ago, Wall recorded 23.5 sacks, averaging 2.1 per game.

“They get through the (offensive) line pretty well,” Mohr said of the defensive line. “They just make it easier for us as linebackers to get tackles and get things done in the backfield.”

“It’s just being nasty,” Kerner said. “We're just happy to be aggressive, be dominant, and work hard. That's pretty much all it is with our D-line.”

While the Eagles have high expectations for the season, the team is maintaining their “Brush your teeth” motto.

Emphasizing doing the little things correctly, day by day, and making the little details a habit.

“We're approaching fall camp one day at a time, one rep at a time,” Heathershaw said. “We have a little bit of hype right now, just because we return some guys. So it's kind of keeping our head down and just really working hard through that. 

“We're excited, though. We got a good opponent week one, and a big rivalry game for us. I know these guys like playing Philip, and just super excited to get to Friday.”

The Eagles will open the season on Friday, Aug. 22 at Philip.