WALL, Texas — A stellar season for the Wall Hawks ended Friday, as the team's second loss of the season became its last.
The Hawks lost a back-and-forth affair to the back-to-back defending state champion Gunter Tigers after a late surge gave the perennial powerhouse a 42-32 victory in the state semifinal.
The town packed Wall High School's gym for an 8 a.m. pep rally, sent the team's bus off to Abilene and traveled to Wildcat Stadium at Anthony Field, offering full support to the state semifinalists.
Wall's Hagyn Barbee scored on the first play from scrimmage, but Gunter quarterback Preston Tarpley - the 17th ranked kicker recruit in the country - threw the game winning touchdown to break a 32-32 tie late in the game.