week seven scores

The Red Oak Hawks scored on both their first and last possessions of Friday night's District 7-5A DI game versus the Joshua Owls, notching a 10-7 victory at home.

After forcing a Joshua three-and-out on the first series of the game, Red Oak put together its most fruitful offensive drive of the game, a nine-play, 42-yard effort capped by a one-yard Braylen Johnson touchdown run. Both defenses then dominated the rest of the first half, with neither offense able to advance past the opponent's 39-yard line. 

Right before halftime, two special teams plays added some excitement to what had been a brisk and fairly uneventful second quarter. Joshua (3-3, 1-2) forced a Red Oak punt from the Hawk 35-yard line with less than a minute left in the half, but Joshua junior Jayden Lottie inadvertently touched the ball as it was settling into the Goodloe Stadium turf, allowing Red Oak to recover it at the Joshua 31. 

Two plays later Red Oak (3-3, 1-1) attempted a 48-yard field goal, setting up the most consequential and controversial play of the night. The attempt by Hawk kicker Rudy Salas was well short of its intended target, allowing Joshua senior Dre Wilson to field it six yards deep in his own end zone. Wilson then raced up the right sideline for what appeared to be a game-tying 106-yard touchdown, but a questionable penalty called on Owls' senior Eryk Martinez negated the return, sending the teams into halftime with Red Oak holding a 7-0 lead. 

The Joshua defense, on the strength of an Eryk Martinez and Ethan Phan tackle for loss on a 4th-and-1 near midfield, forced a turnover a downs to start the second half. The Joshua offense then came to life, embarking on a 10-play drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown run by Taji Matthew, his team-leading fourth rushing score of the season, tying the game at 7-7.

Joshua had a chance to take a late lead, but a 4th down fumble at the Red Oak 34 was recovered by the Hawks. Nine plays later, Salas kicked the game-winning field goal from 26 yards.

The Joshua defense continued its stingy ways, allowing the Red Oak offense just 195 total yards a week after the Hawks racked up 427 yards in a loss to first place Highland Park. JHS tied a season-best by allowing just 12 first downs against Red Oak, and the Hawks converted just one of six third down opportunities. 

Junior Sergio Mata once again led the team in tackles, notching eight last Friday; Mata's total was matched by his brother, freshman Max. Eryk Martinez had two tackles for losses, and senior Gavin McManus was in the backfield all night as he collected a sack and four quarterback pressures.

Joshua drops to 1-2 in District 7-5A DI play and now sits a half-game behind Red Oak and Centennial, who are both 1-1 and tied for fourth place; the top four teams in the standings qualify for the postseason.

The Owls return to action on Friday, October 17th, when the Highland Park Scots visit Joshua for the first time. Kickoff is set for 7PM at Owl Stadium, and play-by-play of the contest can be heard right here at OwlsOnTheAir.com.