By Ryan Deal

605 Sports

WALL — The Wall Eagles don't need any extra motivation, but they’ll sure use it to fuel the fire. 

Wall has proven to be a well-oiled machine among the nine-man football ranks for several years. The Eagles have made four trips to the DakotaDome in Vermillion and have two state championships on their résumé.

Wall has continued to rattle off wins, however, a trip to Vermillion has evaded it for the past handful of years. The current crew of Eagles have experienced trials and tribulations, including an impressive 48-7 record since 2017, but are also 0-3 in semifinal games during the run. 

It’s not something lost on Wall, which fell to eventual Class 9A state champ Howard in last year’s semifinals. 

“At the beginning of the year we threw up 17-21 on the scoreboard,” Wall coach Lex Heathershaw said, referring to the semifinal score. “I think that just kind of sunk in for our guys that let it sit, let that fester and kind of bring back that memory of why we are here and what’s our mission.”

In addition to last year’s playoff run, Wall qualified for the semifinals in 2020 and ‘18, while it made the quarterfinals in ‘19 and ‘17. 

It’s a run most programs would envy, but it’s only driven Wall to break through this season.

“We have a group chat called ‘Win Dome’ ” Wall junior Burk Blasius said. “That’s all we’ve been focusing on is just to get to that next level and we’ve been knocking on the door every year and this year we are going to break that door open.” 

Furthermore, Wall has now won 13 straight games at its home venue, a turf field that sits along Interstate 90 en route to the Black Hills. 

It’s an impressive run to be proud of, for sure, but it’s also left a sour taste as Vermillion is the ultimate goal for the Eagles. 

“You wouldn’t even believe how much we’ve talked about it and how bad everyone on our team wants it,” Wall senior Cedar Amiotte said. “It’s like the only main goal we have this year.” 

Wall's Cedar Amiotte carries the ball in a game against New Underwood. (Ryan Deal/605 Sports)

Amiotte is one of five returning all-staters on the roster, joining Rylan McDonnell, Norman Livermont, Blair Blasius and Burk Blasius. Wall has 10 seniors on the 35-player roster and multiple players have years of starting experience.

“You’ve got guys with three and four years of experience playing for us,” Heathershaw said. “We are junior, senior heavy and they want it bad. So chip on their shoulder for sure.” 

So far in 2022, the Eagles have continued their winning ways. Wall, which is currently No. 2 in the Class 9AA poll, is 3-0 after a 62-12 win over New Underwood on Friday. Wall started the season with wins over Bennett County (50-0) and Philip (49-14). 

On Friday, the Eagles piled up 304 total yards and forced three turnovers against New Underwood. Burk Blasius had a hand in six touchdowns, passing for 254 yards, four touchdowns, rushing for another touchdown and returning an interception for a score. He had two interceptions on defense. Amiotte and Bridger Casjens added rushing touchdowns. McDonnell hauled in three catches for 106 yards and two touchdown receptions. Livermont had five tackles and 2.5 sacks. 

Wall's Rylan McDonnell carries the ball against New Underwood with teammate Cedar Amiotte looking for a block. (Ryan Deal/605 Sports)

“It was pretty flawless offensively,” Heathershaw said. “I am really proud of our execution offensively. Up front, we had great pass protection and gave Blasius a lot of time and Blasius had some dimes.”

Up next, Wall will hit the meat of its schedule. Wall will play at Kadoka Area on Sept. 9, while dates with Lyman and Harding County/Bison loom on the schedule. The Kougars, Raiders and Ranchers are all currently receiving votes in the South Dakota Prep Media Football Poll. 

“Hopefully we can not let the moment get too big or if we think too much about it’s Dome or bust,” Heathershaw said. “Then you forget about what you are doing this week. So we are just trying to keep focused on week in and week out.”