Red Oak bounces back, beats Ellison 39-26

RED OAK – The Red Oak Hawks bounced back after a loss on the road last Friday and came out on top against the Ellison Eagles by a score of 39-26 on Friday, Sept, 19.

Red Oak had a senior duo take command as quarterback Billy Middleton threw for 319 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Brayden Robinson picked up 208 receiving yards and two scores.

Those 208 receiving yards set a new season-high mark for Robinson.

The Hawk’s win was assisted by their defense which managed to get into the backfield for three sacks. Luke Tidwell, Johnnie ‘Tre’ Fitzgerald III, and Anthony Smith each picked up one sack apiece.

Marcelo Irizarry was another major factor on defense, forcing one fumble and 13 total tackles, followed up by Edward King with his 12 tackles.

The first half of the game was slow for both offenses and injuries on both teams slowed the game to a crawl. Red Oak had a 12-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, with 2 of those points coming from a safety by the Hawks defense, but Ellison climbed back into the game and eventually took a 19-12 lead into halftime.

After the halftime performances, Red Oak’s offense finally took control of the game with a good mix of running and passing.

The only negative to the second half were two late touchdowns allowed by the Hawk’s defense on long pass plays.

Red Oak answered the Ellison’s scores with their own, but going into the toughest part of their district schedule, the defense will need to find a way to prevent those types of plays.

The win put Red Oak back at 2-2 (0-0) going into district play. The Hawks will have some time to heal as their bye week is Friday, Sept. 26, then they travel to Highland Park at 7 p.m. on Oct. 3.

RO – Safety.

RO – Rodolfo Salas 29 field goal.

RO – Brayden Robinson 7 pass from Billy Middleton III (Rodolfo Salas kick).

KELS – Kae’Andre Sayles 37 pass from Marlyn Smith (Lathan Hudson kick).

KELS – Marlyn Smith 11 run (kick failed).

RO – Billy Middleton III 8 run (pass failed).

RO – Brayden Robinson1pass from Billy Middleton III (Rodolfo Salas kick).

RO – Daylan Johnson 1 run (Rodolfo Salas kick).

KELS – Prince Hall 81 run (kick failed).

RO – Billy Middleton III 10 run (Rodolfo Salas kick).

KELS – Kae’Andre Sayles 37 pass from Marlyn Smith (Lathan Hudson kick).

First Downs KELS: 16 RO: 27

Rushing Yards KELS: 27-189 RO: 39-135

Passing Yards KELS: 169 RO: 279

Passing KELS: 14-19-0 RO: 22-36-1

Punts-Avg KELS: 3-37.3 RO: 1-38

Penalties KELS: 13-96 RO: 10-87

Fumbles-Lost KELS: 3-2 RO: 0-0

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing – KELS: Prince Hall 1-81, Marlyn Smith 18-91, Laboris Creagh 1-1, Jadin Thompkins 1-1, Evan Dowling 6-15. RO: Renard Thomas III 17-41, Billy Middleton III 13-61, Daylan Johnson 8-48, Noah Santos 1-15.

Passing – KELS: Marlyn Smith 13-18-0-158, Zavion Kennard1-1-0-11.RO: Billy Middleton III 22-36-1-279.

Receiving – KELS: Prince Hall 6-49, Juan Ramirez 4-23, Tyler Reed 1-12, Kae’Andre Sayles 3-85. RO: Brayden Robinson 16-194, D’Aires Byerly 3-59, Dallas Arias 2-13, Darrius Sanders 1-13.