Harlan Hawks Open 2026 Season With Dominant 30-14 Victory Over East Central
SAN ANTONIO, TX — The Harlan Hawks successfully defended their home turf on Friday night, opening their 2026 season with a solid 30-14 non-conference victory over the East Central Hornets.
The Hawks established control early and relied on a balanced attack to keep the Hornets at bay. The win not only started their season off on the right foot but also marked Harlan's fifth consecutive home victory dating back to last year.
Robertson's Dual-Threat Dominance
The story of the night offensively was Harlan's Brandon Robertson, who operated as a one-man wrecking crew against the East Central defense. Robertson punished the Hornets both on the ground and through the air, racking up 66 receiving yards and finding the end zone twice—scoring one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown.
Defensive Pressure
On the other side of the ball, Harlan’s defense made themselves at home in the East Central backfield. The defensive front applied consistent pressure all evening, finishing the game with three drive-killing sacks to stall the Hornets' momentum.
While East Central (0-1) couldn't overcome the deficit, they managed to put up 14 points against a stout Hawks defense that heavily outranked them in preseason statewide polls. The Hornets will look to bounce back and find their rhythm in Week 2, while Harlan (1-0) looks to carry their momentum forward.