By Ryan Deal, 605 Sports

ryan.deal@sportsticket.tv

Wall is looking to break through the proverbial wall this season.

The Eagles are 3-0 after their 61-18 win over Kadoka Area on Sept. 3 in Kadoka. It’s another impressive start for Wall, which has compiled a 35-6 record through the past four seasons.

The past four seasons have included three undefeated regular seasons and two trips to the semifinals. 

But the Eagles have yet to break through and earn a trip to the DakotaDome in Vermillion during the recent run of success. 

“Our kids have a chip on their shoulder,” Wall coach Lex Heathershaw said. “We just haven’t been able to break down that wall and our guys really feel like they can do it this year. It’s going to happen week-by-week, day-by-day, but hopefully we can just keep getting better.”

The Eagles return a bulk of last year’s 9-1 team, which fell to eventual Class 9A runner-up Warner in the semifinals. Wall lost in the 2018 Class 9B semifinals to eventual state champ Colome, while it made the quarterfinals in 2019 and 2017.

“We are a quarterfinal team, semifinal team a lot and this year we are hoping to make it to the Dome,” Wall sophomore quarterback/linebacker Burk Blasius said. “We have a good team this year and I have high hopes for us.”

The Class 9A No. 5 Eagles also own wins over perennial powers Gregory (19-6) and Harding County (32-6). In their latest victory, Wall rattled off 48 straight wins after Kadoka Area led 12-6 in the first quarter. 

Wall’s offensive balance was on display in the explosion. Cedar Amiotte racked up 181 rushing yards on 14 carries and scored two touchdowns. Blasius threw for 92 yards and a touchdown, while he rushed for 85 yards and two more scores. 

Ethan Ferguson added 122 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Mason Heath finished with 97 rushing yards and three more scores. Rylan McDonnell added a touchdown reception for Wall.

“Mason just transferred her from Bennett County and he is a big help for our team,” Blasius said. “He’s a fullback. He hits hard and he runs hard. So other than that we have good running backs and good receivers and overall a good offense.” 

Heathershaw echoed his quarterback’s sentiments about the offense, which racked up 577 total yards against the Kougars. Defensively, the Eagles recorded three interceptions and held Kadoka Area to 286 yards. 

“We have a lot of places we can go on the field,” said Heathershaw, who also praised the line of scrimmage play.  

“I think a lot of the reason they are successful too is we’ve just gotten better up front in the last couple of years. I am proud of our guys up front on the O-line and what they can do in the trenches.” 

The Eagles were also without two all-state performers Blair Blasius and Norman Livermont due to injuries.

“We had two studs that didn’t play for us,” Heathershaw said. “If we get back healthy and hopefully we can maintain our health throughout the year, hopefully we can make a push into the playoffs.”

Wall plays at Philip on Friday.