State Semifinal Preview: Wall and Boyd Collide in Battle of Texas Titans

Steven Liles
May 28
3 min read

Everything is bigger in Texas—including the stakes. With a trip to the 3A State Championship on the line, the Wall Hawks and Boyd Yellowjackets are set to collide in a semifinal showdown that features two of the most dominant programs in the state. Wall rides into the series behind a deep pitching staff and a knack for late-inning heroics, while Boyd arrives on a blistering postseason run, outscoring opponents 105-5 and recording four straight shutouts. Two red-hot teams. One spot in Round Rock. Let’s break it down.

Wall Hawks: Winning Formula: Deep Arms, Timely Hits, and Relentless Pressure

The Hawks are riding a wave of momentum into the state semis. Hagyn Barbee continues to shine at the plate, leading the charge in Game 1 vs Jacksboro with a 3-hit performance, while Gage Reichenau and Reid Ballard delivered dominant outings on the mound, combining for 19 strikeouts and just one run allowed across the series.

Wall’s balanced offense, lights-out pitching, and relentless pressure on the base paths (14 stolen bases vs Jacksboro) make them a tough matchup for anyone.

🔍 What to Watch

Pitching Depth – With Gage Reichenau, Reid Ballard, and Kellan Oliver all delivering in high-leverage moments, Wall can win multiple styles of games. Expect them to use matchups strategically throughout the series.
Late-Inning Power – Wall consistently flips games late. Against Jacksboro, they scored 5 runs in the 7th to break it open. Don’t count them out, no matter the score.
Basepath Chaos – The Hawks stole 14 bases in two games against Jacksboro. Expect them to test Boyd’s catcher and infield every inning with aggressive running and small ball execution.
Balanced Offense – Whether it’s Barbee, Dillard, or the Braden brothers, Wall can string together rallies from anywhere in the lineup.

📈 Playoff Path:

🧹 Bi-District: Def. Comfort (11-1, 14-2)
✅ Area: Def. Henrietta (4-2)
✅ Regional SF: Def Idalou (10-0, 11-1)
✅ Regional Final: Def. Jacksboro (6-1, 2-0)

Boyd Yellowjackets: Boyd’s Buzzsaw Run: Dominant Pitching and Ruthless Offense Lead the Way

Boyd enters the semifinals having not allowed a run in their last four games. Powered by an elite pitching staff led by Elijah Webber and Will McIntire, the Yellowjackets have been nearly untouchable. Offensively, names like Jax Heid, Stephen Webber, Colton Patton, and Landon Snider headline a deep, dangerous lineup that can strike at any time.

Boyd has outscored its opponents 105-5 in the playoffs—an incredible stat that highlights just how dominant they've been on both sides of the ball.

🔍 What to Watch

Two-Way Stars – Elijah Webber and Will McIntire are doing it all—shutting teams down on the mound and delivering extra-base power at the plate.
Clean, Clutch Defense – Boyd has gone four straight playoff games without giving up a run. Their defense has been spotless, and it’s giving their pitchers confidence to attack the zone.
Big Inning Potential – Boyd doesn’t just score—they erupt. They’ve had multiple innings with 5+ runs thanks to deep at-bats, aggressive base running, and smart situational hitting.
Lineup Depth – With names like Snider, Heid, Patton, Withers, and Jennings contributing throughout the order, there’s no easy out in this lineup.

📈 Playoff Path:

✅ Bi-District: Def. Trinity Leadership (9-0, 25-0)
✅ Area: Def. Chisum (10-0, 11-0)
✅ Regional QF: Def. Grand Saline (10-5, 13-0)
✅ Regional Final: Def. New Diana (9-0, 8-0)

📍 Series Schedule

🗓️ Game 1: Thursday, 3:00 PM📍 ACU (Abilene) 🏠 Wall is the home team

🗓️ Game 2: Friday, 7:00 PM📍 Tarleton State University 🏠 Boyd is the home team

🗓️ Game 3 (If Needed): Saturday, 4:00 PM📍 Tarleton State University

💭 Final Thoughts:

This matchup has all the makings of a classic. Wall brings postseason experience, pitching depth, and a gritty, pressure-packed style of play that wears opponents down. Boyd counters with firepower, efficiency, and a level of dominance that few teams in the state have matched. It’s strength vs strength, depth vs depth, and whichever team executes the little things, defensive stops, timely hits, and smart base running, is the one most likely to earn a trip to Dell Diamond. Expect drama, expect fireworks, and expect two of the best 3A programs in Texas to leave it all on the field.