Our Hillcrest Hawks have had a tough start to the season. The first game against Benet was expected to be a solid matchup, but unfortunately, it didn’t go our way. Coach Weaver stated that this was due to mental errors and our inability to convert third downs. Next came Montini, where the Hawks fought hard but came up short once again. This time Coach Weaver states that “Montini is a good team, but our problem here was our rough start in the game.” Then came our nail-biter against TF North. The Hawks played their hearts out, but the game slipped away by just one point, decided on a late field goal.

These back-to-back losses left our Hawks were hungry for a win.

Now, let’s get into Friday’s game. This one was featured at TF South’s Senior Night, which meant our Hawks had to bring the energy. We started strong in the first quarter when #7 Jamari Thomas powered into the end zone, putting the scoreboard at 6–0. #5 Maximilian Carmicle followed up with a catch in the end zone for the two-point conversion, giving the Hawks an early 8–0 lead.

On the kickoff, #88 Amari Matthews sent a beautiful kick downfield, and #15 Ricky Wallace sealed the play with a big tackle to stop the return.

Our defense forced a three-and-out, and the offense went right back to work. #11 Khyran Bullard broke through the inside zone for a 25-yard run. Then Jamari Thomas took the ball outside, saw three defenders closing in, cut back across the field, and turned it into another 25-yard gain to set us up in the red zone. On the very next play, Jamari punched it in for his second touchdown of the night, making it 14–0 in favor of Hillcrest.

TF South answered with a deep pass into Hawk territory, but Ricky Wallace chased the receiver down with an 85-yard sprint to save the touchdown. That effort paid off immediately, as #4 Jayden Lucas came up with a huge interception on the very next play at the 2-yard line.

Unfortunately, the next drive started in a tough spot with the Hawks backed up near their own end zone. TF South’s defense capitalized, forcing a safety to get on the board at 14–2.

On the drive following the safety, our defense stayed strong. When the Red Wolves’ quarterback tried to scramble for a first down, #3 Jayden Simmons delivered a hard hit, and #14 Anthony Tolliver secured the fumble for another Hawks takeaway.

Back on offense, quarterback #16 Micah Robinson threw a perfect pass to #17 Derrick Streeter for another Hawks touchdown, stretching the lead to 20–2 and finally giving Hillcrest some breathing room.

The defense wasn’t done yet #1 Maurice Garrett recovered another fumble deep in TF South territory, setting the Hawks up for more scoring opportunities.

Heading into the fourth quarter, Jamari Thomas struck again. He somersaulted over TF South’s #2, ran it nine yards into the end zone, and followed it up with a two-point conversion. The scoreboard jumped to 28–2 with 9:12 left in the game.

To seal the night, Jamari delivered one final touchdown, breaking free from the 25-yard line and carrying it all the way in. That final score set the game at 32–2, a huge victory for the Hawks!

After the game, Coach Weaver reflected on the team’s performance stating, “I thought the guys played really well, and it was great having Jamari back on the field. Starting fast was key, getting up 14–0 early helped us build momentum, and the players battled all the way through. It was also good to see the effort hold up despite the unexpected humidity, which caused some cramping issues, particularly in the opposing team. Of course, there are still things to clean up. Fourteen penalties is too many, and we struggled to convert third downs in the first half. That’s something we’ll continue working on.” Weaver also highlighted some standout performances. “Jamari had a really good game, Max also played well. And it was good to see DJ make some good plays, especially coming off an injury.” He closed by emphasizing the team’s mindset moving forward. “Overall, we’re happy with the win, but we know we’re capable of performing at an even higher level. We want our play to consistently match the hard work we put in every week.”

Friday night, the Hawks didn’t just win, they dominated. Every player showed perseverance and effort, the team’s energy was clearly evident. Hillcrest showed what happens when talent meets determination. This game wasn’t just about the scoreboard, it was a statement. The Hawks are hungry, focused, and ready to take on every challenge ahead. If they keep this attitude and dedication up, there’s no limit to what they can achieve this season.