Red Oak gets Homecoming win over Richland, 58-40

RED OAK – The Red Oak Hawks, fresh off a road win at Mansfield Legacy, celebrated their delayed 2020 Homecoming on Friday, Oct. 30 with a 58-40 win over the Richland Royals.

Red Oak rolled through the first half using both the run and passing game. Senior QB Joshua Erving (2) connected with Senior WR Raymond Gay (7) on an 81-yard, over the shoulder catch and run to set the tone.

Erving threw for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns in the game. Sophomore QB Chris Parson (1) threw for an additional 37 yards.

On the ground, the offensive line opened gaping holes for the Hawks running backs. Senior RB Zachary Sanders (9) ran for 207 yards on 22 carries, with two long runs from scrimmage, the longest was a 50 yd, TD run. Sanders had two TD’s in the game. The Hawks would end the game with 539 total yards.

As good as those stats are, this game was far from a blowout. The Royals finally got going in the 2nd half, and although they always trailed in the game, they were able to get within 3 points late in the 4th quarter, thanks to a couple of defensive mistakes and an onside kick recovery which led to a touchdown.

However, as quickly as Richland was able to get close, Red Oak’s defense and special teams sealed the win with an attempted onside kick with a recovery for a touchdown, and then a Pick-6 with just over a minute left in the game.

The Hawks move to 2-1 in the season and travel to Colleyville Heritage (3-0) who defeated Midlothian 45-21 on Oct. 30.