WEEK 9: Red Oak beats Killeen 56-37, record now at 8-0

RED OAK – The Red Oak Hawks (8-0, 6-0 District 4-5A1) continued their recording-breaking season Friday night with a 56-37 win over the visiting Killeen Kangaroos. The win puts Red Oak and Midlothian on a collision course for the district championship on November 3.

On the first drive, Killeen stretched the field, scoring quick and going up 7-0. Red Oak answered back on their first possession but missed the PAT and trailed 7-6. That would be the last time the Hawks would trail.

On the Kangaroos 2nd drive, the Hawks defense settled down and stopped the Roos on 4th down, giving the offense great field position. The Hawks high scoring offense wasted no time and scored again. With just a little over 10 minutes left in the 1st quarter, the Hawks were up 13-7. At the end of the quarter, the Hawks were up 20-17.

The 2nd quarter belonged to Red Oak, scoring two more touchdowns, but they were unsuccessful on a 2-pt. conversion, and went into the dressing room leading 33-21.

The Hawks came out flat in the 2nd half, and really couldn’t get the running game going. Early in the 3rd quarter, Chris Martinez went back to punt for the Hawks and put some extra touch on the ball. As the Killeen returner left the area, the ball rolled towards the goal line where the Hawks downed it on the 1/2-yard line. Killeen’s quarterback took the snap in their endzone and was swallowed up quickly by senior linebacker Tanner Thompson with help from senior linebacker Mehki Williams, forcing a safety. 

Red Oak scored again after the free punt from Killeen, and took control of the game from there. The Hawks scored 23 points in the 2nd half and held Killeen to 16 points, with many starters resting halfway through the 4th quarter.

Senior running back Chris Martinez had a highlight reel type game, carrying 27 times for 262 yards and scoring 5 touchdowns.

The Hawks travel to Granbury on Friday, Oct. 27 to take on the Pirates. Granbury’s only district win has come against last place Waco.

Red Oak and Midlothian are both 6-0 in district play, with Midlothian’s only loss coming in non-district play to Arlington Seguin in week 1. Lake Belton, picked early on to win the district, lost to both Red Oak and Midlothian. Both Red Oak and Midlothian have secured play-off spots with last Friday’s wins. Lake Belton will likely end up in 3rd place and Killeen Shoemaker in 4th place. Both Red Oak and Midlothian need to get wins this Friday, with Midlothian at home against Killeen Ellison (2-6, 2-4).

If all goes well, Red Oak will be at home against Midlothian on Friday, Nov. 3 to determine the district championship and play-off seeding.