GALT, CA (MPG) - The Hawk football team started off strong in its quarterfinal playoff game against the Woodland Christian Cardinals on Friday, Nov. 15. The 2024 Sac-Joaquin Section D6 playoff game was being played at the home field of Woodland Christian. The Cardinals would ultimately prevail over the Hawks with a final score of 21-7.

The seventh-seeded Hawks began the game by kicking off to the second-seeded Cardinals. The Cardinals had an ineligible man downfield and garnered the first of many penalties of the night. 

Hawk Brodey Johnston slipped by and sacked the Woodland Christian quarterback. Woodland Christian was not able to reach the first down marker on that drive and were forced to punt with 10 minutes, 32 seconds remaining in the first quarter.  

Liberty Ranch made some progress downfield with the rushing game but was unable to get into the end zone and turned the ball over to the Cardinals with three minutes, 23 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Cardinals worked their way downfield with passes and rushing, and scored a touchdown on the outside edge with one minute, 43 seconds left in the first quarter. The successful extra-point kick made the score 7-0.

After the kickoff, Hawk Joseph Brown broke free and managed to move the ball down to Woodland’s 35-yard line. The Hawks progressed to the 20-yard line, and on a fourth down, quarterback Wyatt Blevins threw an incomplete pass into the end zone. The ball was turned over to the Cardinals with nine minutes, 45 seconds left. 

Once again, the Hawk defense rallied and stopped Woodland for a loss, and Woodland ended up punting the ball. 

The Liberty Ranch offense wasn’t able to capitalize and was forced to punt after just three plays. Woodland took over on the 12-yard line with five minutes, 57 seconds left in the first half. 

The Hawk defense held off the Cardinals once again, and Liberty Ranch took the ball back with four minutes in the half. 

Andrew Quinn caught a pass and moved the Hawks downfield. As the clock was winding down, Joseph Brown managed to break a few tackles and score, making the score 7-7 with one minute, 55 seconds before halftime. 

Woodland Christian tried to score again with 20 seconds left in the half; the Woodland quarterback passed the ball into the end zone. But Hawk Axel Torres was ready and caught an interception, keeping the score even going into halftime.  

Liberty Ranch received the ball at the start of the second half but had to punt. 

The Liberty defense wasn’t finished, and Johnston and Ezra Gomez sacked the quarterback and forced a fumble.  Unfortunately, the Hawks fumbled it back to the Cardinals a few plays later.

Neither team was able to score in the third quarter with both teams dropping passes and unable to progress.

The Cardinals broke free and were able to score again with 11minutes, 20 seconds left in the game making the score 14-7.

After their drive, the Hawks turned the ball over. Woodland took advantage and scored once more time with seven minutes, 24 seconds left in the game. 

The Hawks got very close to the end zone again but just could not capitalize on their position. 

Hawk head coach Warren Schroeder finished another successful season.

“We had a very successful season and are proud of the way our boys battled with the No. 2 team in the division all the way up to the very end,” said Schroeder. “This team has maintained our tradition of hard work and excellence and has continued to bring pride and respect to LRHS and the community of Galt.

“I wish our seniors nothing but the best of luck in their future endeavors and look forward to working with next year’s group in the off-season.”