Rockwall-Heath’s home-field advantage fell short Thursday night as they opened their season with a 34-21 loss to Highland Park. Despite the setback, the Hawks’ defense put up a strong fight, showcasing resilience and skill.

The defensive line was a standout for Rockwall-Heath, amassing 6.5 sacks. Luke Mitchell and Zeke Cannon were instrumental, combining for 5.5 of those sacks. Mitchell, in particular, delivered an exceptional performance, recording 3.5 sacks, six tackles (5.5 for loss), and even defending a pass.

Rockwall-Heath will aim to bounce back when they face Prosper on the road this Friday at 7:00 p.m. The Hawks have proven to be road warriors, riding a five-game away streak that stretches back to last season. Meanwhile, Highland Park will host Lovejoy on Friday, seeking to build on their early momentum in their first home game of the season.