Ellis County Sports Your source for Ellis County Sports News
By Travis M. Smith | Ellis County Sports
Red Oak weathered the literal storms to continue its historic unbeaten streak on the gridiron Friday.
The 27-3 victory against district-foe Grandbury was rewarded with a climb up the 5A Division I state rankings, too.
The Hawks jumped two spots to No. 5 in the week 10 Associated Press poll, just days ahead of a battle for the outright District 4-5A DI title on Thursday at home against (9-1, 7-0) Midlothian. That game will kickoff at 7 p.m. at Billy Goodloe Stadium in Red Oak.
Red Oak had maintained the No. 7 spot in the rankings for several weeks. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football became the official provider of the AP poll in 2019.
Red Oak completely dominated (3-6, 1-6) Grandbury this past Friday, holding the Pirates to a measly 85 total yards of offense. Granbury completed just 2-of-his-11 passes for 15 yards and 1 interception.
Hawk quarterback Reggie Moody Jr. was unfazed by the playing conditions. The senior completed 17-of-his-28 passes for 274 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Moody Jr. first connected with Taz Williams Jr. for a 46-yard touchdown with 2:37 to play in the first half. The pass put the Hawks ahead 14-3.
Williams Jr. finished with a game-high 9 catches for 125 yards and the lone score. The senior has 874 yards and 9 touchdowns on 58 catches this season.
Moody Jr. later connected with junior wide receiver Preston Wells for a 64-yard fourth-quarter touchdown. The touchdown catch was the first of Wells’ varsity career and came with 3:28 to play in the game. It also put the Hawks comfortably ahead, 20-3.
Charles Taplin opened the Red Oak scoring with an 81-yard kickoff returned for a touchdown with 1:53 to play in the first quarter.
Lorenzo Holman added a 12-yard touchdown run in the game’s final minute for the 27-3 victory.
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Travis M. Smith, @Travis5mith
tsmith@elliscosports.com
