Hawks sneak past Joshua, 21-14

JOSHUA – The Red Oak Hawks varsity football team traveled on Friday, Oct. 12 for a district contest against the Joshua Owls. 

Red Oak took their first possession and marched down the field going up early, 7-0. The defense stymied Joshua’s offense in the first half of the game.

The one pass the Owls attempted in the first half was intercepted by the Hawk’s secondary. 

However, the Hawks struggled to maintain possession after their early score and committed 3 turnovers in the first half and went into halftime up 7-0. 

Joshua came out in the 2nd half and finally began to move the ball on the ground, also helped by over 40 yards in penalties by Red Oak. 

Joshua tied the game 7-7 in the 3rd quarter. More Hawk turnovers gave the Owls great field position, and in the 4th quarter they took advantage of it, scoring again and going up 14-7 over Red Oak. 

The Hawks finally put a long drive together late in the 4th quarter and tied the game 14-14. On the proceeding kick-off, Red Oak got the break they needed when Joshua’s return man muffed the kickoff and the Hawks pounced on the ball near the Owl’s 20-yard line. Red Oak’s offense wasted little time and punched the ball in to take a 21-14 lead with just over a minute left in the game. 

Joshua found themselves going against a resurgent Red Oak defense that wanted the win. The Owls had to give up on the run game, and the Hawks simply sat back and waited for the pass while forcing the Owl quarterback out of the pocket. The game ended with Red Oak picking up a win, despite all the turnovers, and that’s what really matters on Friday night.

The Hawks are home on Friday, Oct. 18 when they host the Cleburne Yellowjackets.

It’s also Homecoming week at Red Oak High School, with the Homecoming Court announcements held at the football game Friday night.