Wall (TX) edges Newton (TX), 25-24: Live updates, score of Texas UIL 3A Division II title contest

Buck Ringgold

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Wall (TX) edges Newton (TX), 25-24: Live updates, score of Texas UIL 3A Division II title contest image

Ronald W. Erdrich/Abilene Reporter-News/USA TODAY NETWORK

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - A week ago, Wall ended the three-year championship reign of Gunter in the University Interscholastic League 3A Division II.

Thursday night at AT&T Stadium, the Hawks finally took the crown - but had to sweat things out in the end.

Wall built a 25-8 first-half lead and then fended off a late Newton comeback attempt to capture its first title in program history with a 25-24 win for the 3A DII title.

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The Hawks (16-0) were able to get things done in just their second title-game appearance, having previously made it that far in 2013. Wall also won its last two games by a combined four points - knocking off three-time defending champion Gunter by three in the semifinals before winning by a point Thursday.

It appeared as if the Hawks were going to cruise to victory after they built a big second-quarter lead. But Gunter scored a TD in the third quarter and got a TD on a fourth-down pass with less than two minutes to go, adding a two-point conversion to pull within one.

Then on the onside kick attempt, the ball bounced around several times before Wall's Jacob Braden was able to secure it, and with the Eagles out of time outs, the Hawks got to enjoy a championship victory formation.

Wall also won despite being out-gained in total yardage. Newton had 386 total yards to just 200 for the Hawks. Plus, the Eagles held a whopping 320-6 edge in rushing yards.

But Newton was able to force a couple of turnovers, and also got a blocked punt return for one of its touchdowns.

Wall senior receiver Reid Robertson was named the Most Outstanding Player on offense. He caught five passes for 102 yards and two TDs, and also threw a 43-yard pass on a trick play early in the contest that helped set up the Hawks' opening score.

The Hawks' regular quarterback, Landon York, completed 9-of-25 passes for 151 yards and two TDs.

Wall senior linebacker Gavin Sisson was named the Most Outstanding Player on defense. He recorded 13 total tackles, including 10 solo stops, as well as 2.5 tackles for loss and recording half a sack. Sisson also blocked the punt that led to teammate Dylan Sellers returning it 28 yards for a TD late in the first quarter, which put the Hawks ahead to stay, 13-8.

The Hawks then extended the lead with two Robertson TD receptions, covering 47 and 5 yards, going up 25-8 with more than four minutes remaining in the first half.

For Newton, tailback Kendray Porter Jr. Rushed for 165 yards on 33 carries and also caught three passes for 48 yards with a TD.

Newton was making its eighth appearance in a state championship game. The Eagles previously won titles in 1974, 1998, 2005, 2017 and 2018.

They finish the season at 14-2. Prior to Thursday, their other loss was a 32-24 decision in the season opener to West Orange-Stark, which is playing for the 4A Division II championship on Friday. In the Eagles’ final six regular-season games, they scored no fewer than 54 points.

They have continued that tremendous point production in the postseason, scoring 70 and 68 points in their first two playoff games. Last week, Newton rang up 74 points in a decisive 74-20 win against East Bernard in the semifinals.

But despite hanging in the latter moments of Thursday night's game, the Eagles ran out of time, and Wall was finally able to hoist a title trophy at AT&T Stadium.

Follow AllSportsPeople correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Arlington.

Scroll down for live score and game updates from kickoff to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.

WALL 25, NEWTON 24 FINAL

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POSTGAME

- Wall finally receives its much-awaited state championship trophy. The Hawks won their last two games by a total of four points, beating three-time defending champion Gunter by three points in the semifinals and then edging Newton by a point tonight for the title. 

- The Most Outstanding Player on offense goes to Wall senior receiver Reid Robertson, who caught five passes for 102 yards and two TDs. He also threw a 43-yard pass on a trick play early in the game that set up the Hawks' first score.

- Wall senior linebacker Gavin Sisson named the Most Outstanding Player on defense. He had 13 total tackles, 10 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. 

- Newton out-gained Wall for the game in total yards, 386-200. The Eagles also held a whopping 320-6 edge in rushing yards. But the Hawks have the most important stat - the final score. 

- And that will do it. Wall survives a late Newton charge and the Hawks are state champions for the first time in program history. 

FOURTH QUARTER

- Onside kick time. The ball is loose. It's bouncing around. IT'S STILL BOUNCING AROUND. But Wall's Jacob Braden secures it, and it looks like the Hawks are going to escape AT&T Stadium with their first title. 

- TOUCHDOWN AND 2-POINT CONVERSION NEWTON. Oh my goodness gracious, the Eagles stay alive. Fourth-and-long, QB Deldrick Samuel throws a deep ball...AND Kendray Porter Jr. Is there to grab it over a defender and into the end zone for a 37-yard TD. And the Eagles add the two-point conversion. They just need to recover the onside kick. (Wall, 25-24 | 1:43, 4th) 

- Another fourth down coming up for Newton. Eagles will take their third and final time out. This is the ballgame right here. 

- Newton faces a third-and-5 at the two-minute warning. 

- Incomplete pass on fourth down, but Wall is hit with pass interference. Newton stays alive and has a first down at the Hawks' 31 with 2:31 left. 

- Newton faces a fourth-and-15 from the Wall 46 with 2:38 left. Looks like this will be the last chance for the Eagles' here. 

- INTERCEPTION NEWTON. Eagles come up huge, as Braylen Patterson comes up with the pick and he runs it back 38 yards to the Wall 41 with more than three minutes left. 

- Wall is near the Newton 30 with less than four minutes left. Newton has only one time out remaining. 

- Tonight's game attendance is 9,721 spectators. 

- Newton faces a fourth-and-1, but Wall comes up to stop Cavland Hunter. Hawks take over with 6:14 left and a two-score lead. Newton now has 345 total yards to Wall's 183.

- Deldrick Samuel runs a keeper on third down for a big gain, and the Eagles are inside the Wall 35 with under eight minutes remaining. 

- Newton is out to near midfield as the clock is about to hit nine minutes. 

- Newton's Ivan Gatson applies a big hit on third down, and Wall decides to go for a field goal from 38 yards, but it goes wide left. The Eagles get the ball back with 10:13 remaining.  

- Wall gets a first down near the Newton 20, looking to apply the knockout punch. 

- Newton has out-gained Wall through three quarters, 285-166. But two turnovers, including a fumble late in the third, and a blocked punt return for a Hawks' TD, has turned out to be the difference here. 

THIRD QUARTER

- FUMBLE RECOVERY WALL. Wow, what a break for the Hawks. A Newton ballcarrier inadvertently runs into one of his offensive linemen, and the ball pops loose. The Hawks' Koen Braden comes up with the ball in the closing moments of the third. 

- Wall throws an incomplete pass, and will have to punt in the shadow of its own end zone. Newton, though, had taken its second time out of the half and has just one remaining. 

- Newton with the momentum now. Eagles just got a sack all the way back to the Wall 2, bringing up a third-and-28. 

- TOUCHDOWN AND 2-POINT CONVERSION NEWTON. Eagles go 98 yards in 16 plays to make things a bit interesting. Cavland Hunter caps it with a 2-yard run, and then the Eagles add two more points on a run by Hunter. (Wall, 25-16 | 3:25, 3rd) 

- Newton is putting together a long drive. Eagles have had the ball for more than five minutes and are inside the Wall 25. 

- Wall punts it back to Newton, but the Hawks are able to down the ball at the 2-yard line.

- Newton gets the ball to start the second half but the Eagles are unable to do anything with it, and has to punt it back to Wall.

HALFTIME

- Despite trailing by 17 points, Newton actually out-gained Wall in the opening half, 185-173.

SECOND QUARTER

- Newton pass goes incomplete and we are finally at halftime. 

- Wall gets the punt off, and Newton has the ball at the Hawks' 35 with three seconds to go. 

- Wall goes three-and-out and it is fourth down from the Hawk 1 with 13 seconds left. 

- Newton punts it, and it is a good one, and the Eagles are able to down it at the 1 with 40 seconds left in the half. 

- No pun intended, a wall of Wall players converge for a third-down sack. Newton has a fourth-and-21 at the Hawks' 44 with 53 seconds left, and the Hawks call a time out. 

- Newton gets the first down and is near the Wall 30. 

- Newton faces a third-and-1 at the Wall 45 as we are in the two-minute warning. 

- TOUCHDOWN WALL. Gamble pays off for the Hawks, as Landon York quickly connects with Reid Robertson, who has his second receiving score on the night after a 5-yard catch to complete a 10-play, 41-yard march. Another pass on a two-point try fails, but it's all Wall right now. (Wall, 25-8 | 4:17, 2nd) 

- Wall faces a fourth-and-goal from the 5, and it looks like the Hawks will be going for it here. 

- Third down for Wall, Landon York goes back to pass but sees an opening and takes it, and he scrambles all the way down to the Newton 3 for a first-and-goal as we are under six minutes remaining in the half. 

- INTERCEPTION WALL. Kellan Oliver picks off the pass and is on the way to taking it to the house, but it's called back due to an illegal block. Hawks still with great field position on Newton's side of the field. 

- TOUCHDOWN WALL. Wow, what a catch-and-run from receiver Reid Robertson, who takes a short pass from Landon York on third-and-long and makes a couple of nifty cuts to break free, going in from 47 yards out. Two-point pass attempt fails, but the Hawks are up by double digits. (Wall, 19-8 | 9:33, 2nd) 

- Newton forced to punt again, but this time is able to get the kick off. Wall returns it to its own 30 with 10:43 left in the opening half. 

- Newton had 129 yards of total offense - 103 of those via the rush. Wall had 56 total yards in the opening period. 

FIRST QUARTER

- Newton gets to midfield and then tries a pop pass, but Wall is right there to blow it up for a massive loss as the opening quarter comes to an end.

- BLOCKED PUNT AND A TOUCHDOWN WALL. Newton forced to punt....BUT IT'S BLOCKED by Wall's Gavin Sisson, and teammate Dylan Sellers scoops it up and brings it back 28 yards to put the Hawks back in front. Two-point pass try fails. (Wall, 13-8 | 3:55, 1st) 

- Wall can't do anything on its next series and punts it back to Newton. 

- TOUCHDOWN AND 2-POINT CONVERSION NEWTON. Eagles go 68 yards in 9 plays on their opening series. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, QB Deldrick Samuel follows his line and plows forward into the end zone; then Newton goes for two and gets it, as Kendray Porter Jr. Is able to run it in. (Newton, 8-7 | 7:00, 1st) 

- Newton running back Kendray Porter Jr. Gets the call on the Eagles' first three snaps and generates 46 yards, and the Eagles are approaching the Wall 20 on their opening series. 

- TOUCHDOWN WALL. Hawks quickly go four plays in 63 yards for the game's first score, a 2-yard run by Jacob Braden off a direct snap. (Wall, 7-0 | 10:36, 1st) 

- Wall brings back the opening kick to its 37. On the very next play, the Hawks executed a double pass, with Reid Robertson throwing a 43-yard strike to Kellan Oliver, who takes it down to the Newton 20. 

PREGAME

- Newton wins the toss and defers to the second half. Wall to get the ball to start things off.

- Wall in all white tonight. Green is the Hawks' primary color. Newton is in white helmets, purple jerseys and purple pants.

- Live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, undefeated Wall seeks to cap a perfect season with its first-ever state championship. The Hawks face five-time state champion Newton for the UIL 3A Division II championship.

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