Senior quarterback Luke Stewart turned in a remarkable night for Cleburne on Friday at The Rock Pile, rushing for 120 yards and three touchdowns while throwing for 198 yards and one score. But it was not enough as Red Oak held on 38-28.
The Yellow Jackets have dropped five straight to fall to 2-6 overall and 0-4 in District 7-5A, officially ending playoff hopes. Cleburne led early 14-7, but the Hawks scored on three consecutive possessions to seize a 24-14 lead the Jackets could not overcome.
Cleburne travels Friday to face Highland Park, the district leader at 6-1 and 3-0. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
Cleburne junior Jessilyn Wurster qualified for the Class 5A girls state cross country meet, while sophomore Nico Flores earned a state berth on the boys side.
Both runners secured their spots at the Region I meet Monday at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock. The Cleburne team runs today at the Class 5A Region I meet in Lubbock.
The Lady Jackets volleyball squad can clinch a playoff berth this week with matches at Mansfield Summit on Tuesday and Arlington Seguin on Friday. They are 14-20 and 6-6 in District 8-5A.