RED OAK FINDS THE WIN COLUMN WITH A 41-14 VICTORY OVER CEDAR HILL

RED OAK – Coming off back-to-back losses in non-district games, the Hawks hosted the Class 6A Cedar Hill Longhorns in week 3.

The Hawks came into the game ready to play. They took control of the game early and never let up. With one of their main weapons, senior wide receiver Taz Williams Jr. on the sideline recovering from an injury, there were plenty of Hawks who stepped up to give the team a convincing 41-14 win over the Longhorns.

Notables were quarterback Billy Middleton, with some great passes and well-timed runs to keep drives alive, wide receiver Charles Taplin, who picked up a lot of the catches with Williams Jr. out of the game and had several momentum changing catches, and wide receiver Brayden Robinson, who somehow seems to always come up with catches in tight coverage leaving defenders scratching their head. 

The Red Oak defense went after Cedar Hill quarterback Tamarion Crochett  all night, forcing missed throws and long 3rd and 4th down conversions, and sacking him twice. And, the Hawk’s special teams played much better than the previous two games.

Red Oak quarterback Middleton went 16-23 for 266 yards in the air and ran for 90 yards. Running back Lorenzo Holman carried the rock for the Hawks with 13 carries for 143 yards. Robinson caught 6 passes for 89 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Taplin caught 6 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. 

Linebacker T.J. Stocker Jr. led the defense with 8 solo tackles and a fumble recovery. Defensive end Gabriel Giadolor picked up a sack in the first half of the game.

The Hawks travel to Killeen to play the Ellison Eagles in their last non-district game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20. The Hawks return home Oct. 4 to start District 7-5A play when they host the Highland Park Scots.