The Hawkins Hawks started district play with a bang, defeating previously unbeaten Cayuga 21-13 and setting the stage for a matchup with state-ranked Carlisle this Friday.
The Hawkins defense held Cayuga to 13 points and just under 200 yards of total offense. Quarterback Eli Smith contributed on both sides of the ball, leading the Hawks defensively with 11 tackles and a forced fumble. Riggin Smith added 10 tackles, including one for a loss.
Cayuga entered the game averaging 44 points per game.
Unable to generate much offense on the ground, Hawkins turned to the passing game. Eli Smith completed 15 of 24 passes for 315 yards. The Hawks added 60 rushing yards to finish with 375 yards of total offense.
Junior wide receiver Eli Snider caught six passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, averaging nearly 32 yards per reception. Senior wide receiver Trevin Tanner hauled in four passes for 71 yards and a touchdown.
The Hawkins defense came up with two goal-line stands, forcing Cayuga to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns.
Head coach Bill Cowley credited the defense with helping secure the win.
“We were able to get things done on both sides of the ball. Our defense did a great job with two goal-line stands that resulted in just two field goals instead of touchdowns, which gave us the margin of victory. Hats off to our defense as we competed throughout the game. Defense kept us in the game for sure,” Cowley said.
Hawkins, Kerens and Frankston are each 1-0 in District 10-2A Division I play. Frankston defeated Como-Pickton 49-16, while Kerens won at Alba-Golden. Cayuga and Alba-Golden are 0-1. Carlisle had a bye before hosting Hawkins this Friday.
The Hawks will face a challenge on the road against Carlisle. Through four games, the Indians are averaging nearly 46 points per game while allowing about 10 points per game.
Carlisle opened the season with a 49-20 win over Overton before defeating Mount Enterprise 50-0, Harleton 49-7 and Lovelady 35-14.
The Indians’ rushing attack is led by senior running back Elvis Hernandez, who averages 121 yards per game and has scored seven touchdowns. Senior quarterback Antonio Ibarra averages 113 rushing yards per game and has scored four rushing touchdowns.
Ibarra has also thrown 10 touchdown passes and totaled 751 passing yards, an average of nearly 188 yards per game.
Senior linebacker Brandon Garza averages just over eight tackles per game. Sophomore Josue Hernandez averages 6.8 tackles per game, while fellow sophomore Xavier Espinoza averages 5.8. Carlisle’s leading receivers include Dakota Grigsby, Ivan Garza and Josue Hernandez.
Cowley said the possibility of rain could add another element to Friday’s matchup.
“It’s supposed to be raining Friday, so if it is, that will be a first for us this year, playing on grass and in the rain, so we have to have our kids ready for that too. They will be very physical and they are very well-coached. We are going to have to match those two things if we expect to be competitive in the game,” Cowley said.
Cowley said controlling the line of scrimmage will be important for the Hawks.
“We need to control the line of scrimmage up front with our offensive line. We have to take advantage of any opportunity they might give us,” Cowley said.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in Price.