Football Recap: Benjamin Riley's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Fossil Ridge over Birdville + How To Watch

Fossil Ridge was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their eighth straight loss. They fell 38-26 to the Birdville Hawks. While losing is never fun, the Panthers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Texas football rankings (they are ranked 562nd, while the Hawks are ranked 268th).

Several Panthers players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Benjamin Riley, who picked up 124 receiving yards and a pair of TDs. Malaki Lockhart was another key passer, throwing for 333 yards and four touchdowns.

Birdville got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Zach Wells out in front who threw for 245 yards and three TDs while completing 73.9% of his passes, and also rushed for 35 yards and one score. Wells' passing game has become a key predictor of the Hawks' success: the team is undefeated when his passer rating is 110 or higher, but only 1-4 otherwise. Birdville's leading receiver Braylin Montoya was Wells' top target yet again, picking up 118 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Fossil Ridge's defeat dropped their record down to 1-9. As for Birdville, they now have a winning record of 5-4.

Fossil Ridge does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Birdville, they will look to defend their home field on the 7th against Ryan at 7:00 p.m. The Raiders will roll in looking for their fifth straight win, something the Hawks surely won't give up without a fight.