Red Oak defensive end Dior Gammon drops the Ranger’s quarterback in the 2nd half of the game.
Red Oak’s playoff run ends against Frisco Lone Star, 34-28
FRISCO – After a big Bi-district 35-21 road win over the Cedar Park Timberwolves on Friday, Nov. 15, the Red Oak Hawks headed to Frisco against the favored Frisco Lone Star Rangers in the Area Round on Friday, Nov. 22.
Head Varsity Football Coach Melvin Robinson aid it best after the game: “We have to play 4 quarters, we only played Red Oak football for one half.”
But wow, what a 2nd half it was.
Red Oak’s first half mistakes, turnovers, and not being able to slow down the high scoring Rangers found the Hawks in a big hole early.
Looking at what seemed like an insurmountable 27-7 deficit at halftime, with nothing going right, the Hawks could have easily given up, but didn’t.
In the 2nd half, the Hawks’ defense stepped up.
Forcing incomplete throws, pushing the Rangers quarterback out of the pocket and stopping the run, Red Oak’s defense forced Frisco to punt several times, giving the ball back to their offense – and the offense took advantage.
The Hawk receivers got open and picked up big chunks of yardage, opening up the running game.
By the end of the 3rd quarter, Red Oak was within 20 (34-14).
Red Oak owned the 4th quarter. They put up 14 unanswered points to close to within a touchdown (34-28) and a PAT to win the game.
A punt return for a TD by the Hawks’ Brayden Robinson was called back by the officials for a questionable block in the back.
Then, Red Oak’s defense forced one last punt by Frisco, giving their offense the ball on the Hawk’s 39-yard line and just under a minute left and no time-outs.
They needed to move the ball 61 yards, score a TD and get the game winning PAT.
And Red Oak simply ran out of time.
Had the Hawks caught a couple of breaks in the game, it could have been one of the bigger upsets in the playoffs.
Red Oak ends their season with a 3rd place finish in District 7 5A-1, Bi-district Champions, and a memorable Area Round game to close the season.
After the game, the coaches reiterated how proud they were of the team and the fight they showed all season long in one of the toughest 5A districts in the state.