Ellis County Sports Your source for Ellis County Sports News
By Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports
Frisco Heritage stood little chance against a much-more athletic Red Oak football team Friday night at Billy Goodloe Stadium.
The Hawks scored five consecutive touchdowns to close out the first half and leave no doubt in the 68-23 non-district victory. Red Oak improved to 2-1 with the win.
Red Oak junior quarterback Joshua Ervin was on fire in the first half, tossing three touchdowns in the first quarter to Raymond Gay (51 yards, 10:45) and Coby Cavil (21 yards, 7:47; 35 yards, 3:18). He then connected with Cavil for a third score — this time from 25 yards — with 5:37 to play in the first half to put Red Oak up 34-7.
CJ Palmer scored a pair of rushing touchdowns from 25 and 37 yards, respectively, and Amarion Caddock returned a Heritage fumble 30 yards for a score to complete the Hawks first-half scoring and send Red Oak into the halftime locker room with a 48-7 lead.
Because the Hawks took the air out of the football in the second half while up big, Ervin finished the game with 190 yards and four touchdowns to one interception on 8-of-12 passing.
Cavil led all receivers with a game-high 110 yards and three touchdowns on just four catches, while Gay (51 yards), Tristan Lee (17 yards), Marcus Badgett (7 yards) and LaKelsey Johnson (5 yards) each caught one Ervin pass.
The Hawks ground attack saw seven ball carriers contribute, led by Palmer and his 14 carries for 169 yards and two scores. Zach Sanders added six carries for 106 yards and one score. Keyshawn Merritt also rushed for one score and 48 yards on five carries.
When it was all said and done, the Hawks outgained Heritage 513 yards to 445 — 323 of those yards came on 29 running plays for a whopping 11.1 yards-per-carry average. The Red Oak defense also forced five turnovers (2 fumbles, 3 INTs).
Red Oak will now have its toughest test of the regular season on Friday, as the Hawks are slated to travel to reining District 6-5A champion South Oak Cliff. The winner will be in the driver seat ahead of a rather easy district schedule.
Kickoff for the unofficial district championship and KBEC Sports Game of the Week is at 7:30 p.m.
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Travis M. Smith. @Travis5mith
tsmith@kbec.com
