NORTH RICHLAND HILLS – Royals QB Drew Kates said he and the team had been looking forward to Friday night’s matchup with Birdville for 365 days. Nearly a year to the day, Richland got its revenge with a 42-18 win over the Hawks in District 5-5A D1 action at Birdville FAAC.
Birdville (3-5, 3-3) had beaten Richland 34-30 last season.
Richland (8-0, 6-0) had won the previous four years.
The two teams are even at 7-7 in the series since 2006.
“Felt good to get back – respect to them, Birdville did a good job, they got us last year,” said Kates, who accounted for two touchdowns. “Props to my coaches on a great game plan. Great team win. We weren’t good in the first half, but played well in the second half.”
After forcing a punt on Birdville’s first drive, Richland on its second play from scrimmage – a 49-yard TD run by 4-star back Michael Turner. The Hawks tied it on the ensuing possession when QB Noah Normand hit Brian Kent on a 24-yard TD midway through the first quarter.
Normand hit Kent on a short route and the WR broke two tackles before entering the end zone.
A punt by Normand was downed by Parker Green near the 1 and on third down, Kates ran for 16, but the Royals were called for a holding penalty in the end zone, which resulted in a safety and two points for Birdville, which took a 9-7 lead. The Hawks extended their lead to 12-7 with 9:35 left in the second quarter following a 28-yard FG by Mario Menjivar.
Richland, which is off to its best start since going 9-0 in 2016, answered back when the Royals capped off an 11 play drive with a 21-yard TD run by Kates to give them a 14-12 lead with 6:44 left in the period.
Birdville managed to score one more time and take the lead into intermission.
In what was called the Philly Special during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run in the 2017 season, in which QB Nick Foles caught a touchdown, the snap went to running back Mazen Eid, tossed to Caleb Kelley, who threw a 14-yard score to Normand.
The Hawks couldn’t convert the 2-point attempt and led 18-14 at the break.
But that was all the scoring for Birdville as Richland pitched a second half shutout.
Jaylen Gordon sparked the Richland Royals by taking the third quarter kickoff for an 86-yard TD return and 21-18 lead. They scored after a Birdville punt when Turner’s 2-yard run capped a 9-play 71-yard drive to make it 28-18.
Richland scored on its next two drives.
Turner scored on a 12-yard run and Kates hit Jayden Finley on a 36-yard TD early in the fourth. Kates threw for 178 yards and ran for 45 with two scores. Turner rushed 21 times for 159 yards and three TDs. Turner ranks #13 among all 2025 RBs in the country. He holds 12 offers.
Deo Jones had six catches and 48 yards for Richland.
Eid led the rushing for Birdville with 79 yards on 17 attempts.
Norman threw for 138 yards on 16 of 37 passing.
