RED OAK – Despite a kick-off temperature near 100 degrees, moving up in classification (6A) and for the next two years playing their home games in Lancaster, the Red Oak Hawks put together a good enough performance to defeat the Mansfield Summit Jaguars 20-15 on Friday, Aug. 28.
As typical with the first game of the season, there were early mistakes by both teams, but in the end the edge went to the Hawks defensive squad with several fourth quarter 4th down stops against the Jaguars, along with 3 huge turnovers when the Jaguars were driving.
The Hawks offense had their highlights too. In the first quarter, quarterback Tuhran Square II connected with wide receiver Brandon Bagley where Bagley simply scorched the Jaguar’s secondary and in for the Hawks first touchdown of the 2026 season.
Unfortunately, in the second quarter, the Hawk’s offense gave up a pick-6 which tied the game at 7-7. The Jaguars would score again before halftime, helped by a couple of Hawks defensive penalties and convert the PAT for 2 points to go up 15-7.
The Hawks scored twice in the 2nd half including an exciting flea-flicker for a long gain which set up the Hawks go ahead and game winning touchdown.
The Hawks defense controlled the game late in the fourth with the Jaguars trying to drive. Red Oak forced a punt with 1:18 left and then ran the clock out for a 21-15 opening season win.
Red Oak travels to Garland to battle the Lakeview Centennial Patriots in a non-district test on Friday, Sept. 4. The Patriots squad defeated Grand Prairie 38-0 in a non-district win last Friday.