6A Team of the Week: Harlan Hawks
Harlan used some trickeration to make some school history in its third round showdown against New Braunfels Canyon.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Hawks dialed up a flea flicker. It worked to perfection. Quarterback Aldric Trotter put it right on his receiver Marquez Perkins. Perkins broke a tackle and took it 68 yards for the go-ahead score.
That touchdown would be the difference in Harlan’s 39-36 win. The Hawks are now off to the fourth round for the first time in school history.
Harlan Hawks have made HiSTORY!!!
We are going to the 4th Round of the PLAYOFFS!!!! pic.twitter.com/jy1xhg5CNF
— Harlan High School (@NISDHarlan) November 29, 2024
“It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of the elite eight teams in Texas high school football 6A Division Two,” Harlan head coach Eddie Salas said. “This is a special group of players and coaches who I am so proud of. Making school history is even better when you do it with high character student athletes who are learning that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.”
In the history-clinching victory, Trotter didn’t throw it much, but he delivered when he did. He completed just five passes but three of them were for touchdowns.
In addition to Perkins, Caelan Grbic-Schultz had a 61-yard touchdown, and Payton Matthews had two catches for 21 yards and a score.
The Hawks also hit a couple of big plays on the ground. G’ivori Graham had five rushes for 78 yards and a score, while Matthews had four carries for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Hawks feasted up front. They finished with seven sacks. Craig Sanders, Maddax Berantuo, and Alexander Ciccarello all had two sacks apiece.
Conner Smith and Taveion Ford both each had an interception for the Hawk defense.
Harlan will need another big performance on both sides of the ball this year as it takes on Vandegrift in the regional final. In 2022, the Vipers knocked the Hawks out of the playoffs with a 49-21 victory.
Harlan will get a chance to get its revenge this Friday at Texas State as it looks to qualify for its first-ever state semifinal.
Previous 6A Teams of the Week
Week One: Arlington Sam Houston
Week Two: North Crowley
Week Three: San Antonio Roosevelt
Week Four: Klein Oak
Week Five: Lewisville
Week Six: Atascocita
Week Seven: Medina Valley
Week Eight: Sotomayor
Week Nine: Kingwood
Week Ten: Cypress Lakes
Week Eleven: Rock Hill
Bi-District: Fort Bend Elkins
Area Round: San Antonio East Central
