The Redhawks fly into the first round of UIL 5A-II playoffs Friday, taking on the Forney Jackrabbits at Forney Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

“I think Forney is going to be a pretty worthy opponent,” head coach Matt Swinnea said. “We had the opportunity to see them in person last Friday and they are a team that is playing with a lot of momentum and energy.”

Earlier in the season, the Redhawks beat Prosper Rock Hill 43-36, a team senior Lawson Towne is comparable to what will be seen Friday night. 

“I think Forney is kind of similar to Rockhill,” Towne said. “It’s definitely going to be a decent game, but I think we are going to come out on top.”

In the past four years, the Redhawks finished with records of 0-10, 1-9, 6-4, and now, 9-1, leaving Swinnea to see similarities between the Redhawks and the Jackrabbits.

“They were 0-10 last year,” Swinnea said. “In a lot of ways, they are similar to us so it is going to come down to executing and coming after them quickly.”

With the offense focused on scoring, the defense is preparing to give it their all.

“Our defense definitely has to step it up this week,” Towne said. “If our defense steps it up, we can bring home a win.”

Coming off of a 27-24 win against previously undefeated Lovejoy High School, the Redhawks are heading into Friday’s game with a newfound confidence.

“We should have all of the confidence in the world going into the game,” Swinnea said. “It’s just a matter of going out and you put that escrow in and now it’s just writing checks on it.”