Tyler High's (3) Caden Granberry with the pass in the first half against Red Oak on Friday night in Tyler.

The Lions’ season concluded just as the year began — in a driving rainstorm.

Tyler kept battling back, but Red Oak answered each time as the Hawks defeated the Lions 45-35 on a wet Friday night at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

Red Oak (6-4, 4-2) advanced to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed from District 7-5A Division I. Tyler (4-6, 2-4) misses the playoffs for the third straight season. The Lions had another shot to advance if Joshua beat Burleson Centennial, but the Spartans scored a fourth-quarter touchdown for a 17-10 win to move into the postseason.

Back in August, William Dail scored the Lions first TD on a fumble in Marshall. That happened again on Earl Campbell Field, but just as the Mavericks did in the first game, the Hawks rallied to win on this night in November.

Billy Middleton threw three touchdowns passes to Brayden Robinson and scored TDs of his own for the Hawks.

In the first half the teams played in a driving rainstorm, resulting in three turnovers — two fumbles by Red Oak and an interception by Tyler, two of which resulted in touchdowns, one by each squad.

Robinson had nine catches for 153 yards including touchdown grabs of 23, 12 and 86 yards. The 86-yarder was after a nine-yard toss from Middleton in which Robinson caught the ball near the sideline and dashed the remainder of the way. The 23-yarder was a stop and go in which he caught the ball about nine yards downfield and raced to the end zone.

Middleton hit on 15 of 21 passing attempts for 183 yards and he scored on runs of 63 and nine yards, with the latter coming with 3:31 on the clock in the fourth quarter to basically put the game out of reach.

Middleton rushed for 121 yard on seven attempts with two big runs of 63 and 51 yards. The second long yardage play almost resulted in a touchdown. With Red Oak leading 38-35, Middleton took off and looked like he would score, but he fumbled at the 4-yard line and Tyler recovered in the end zone for a touchback.

The Red Oak defense came through and halted Tyler on downs. Tyler needed to win by four or more points to earn a playoff berth.

After the turnover on downs, Red Oak topped off the scoring on Middleton’s 9-yard tally.

Tyler took a 7-0 lead as Red Oak fumbled on its first series and Kaleb Johnson picked up the ball and scored from 11-yards. Marvin Espinal made the PAT.

Red Oak then took a 21-7 halftime lead on consecutive TDs by Middleton (63 yards), Desmond Cox (41-yard interception return) and Robinson (23-yard reception). Rudy Salas kicked the extra points.

In the second half, Tyler fumbled on its first possession and Robinson topped off the drive with a 12-yard snag from Middleton for the TD. Salas’ PAT made it 28-7.

The teams started trading scores.

Ken’Trevyon Quinsey caught a 9-yard TD pass from Caden Granberry, followed by a Salas 35-yard FG.

Tyler got within 31-28 as Granberry connected with Nicholas Collins on a 55-yard TD pass and Ashton Arriaga scored on an 8-yard run with 11:07 to go in the fourth.

Under a minute later, Robinson showed his speed with the 86-yard TD catch and run from Middleton for a 38-28 advantage at 10:19.

Tyler bounced back as Arriaga scored on a 4-yard run with 8:41 showing to pulled within 38-35.A

Granberry led Tyler by hitting on 19 of 28 passes for 285 yards with two TD passes and an interception.

RED OAK 45, TYLER 35

Red Oak     14     7   10   14 — 45

Tyler            7     0   14   14 — 35

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

TH — Kaleb Johnson 11 fumble return (Marvin Espinal kick), 10:44

RO — Billy Middleton 63 run (Rudy Salas kick), 10:29

RO — Desmond Cox 41 interception return (Salas kick), 1:46

Second Quarter

RO — Brayden Robinson 23 pass from Middleton (Salas kick), 10:26

Third Quarter

RO — Robinson 12 pass from Middleton (Salas kick), 7:30

TH — Ken’Trevyon Quinsey 9 pass from Caden Granberry (Espinal kick), 5:36

RO — FG Salas 35, 2:27

TH — Nicholas Collins 55 pass from Granberry (Espinal kick), 12:12

Fourth Quarter

TH — Ashton Arriaga 8 run (Espinal kick), 11:07

RO — Robinson 86 pass from Middleton (Salas  kick), 10:19

TH — Arriaga 4 run (Espinal kick), 8:41

RO — Middleton 9 run (Salas kick), 3:31

TEAM STATISTICS

                               RO               TYL

First downs               15                  18

Rushing             31-211             28-74

Passing                  183                 285

Total                      394                 359

C-A-I               15-21-0          19-28-1

Punts-Ave.         1-33.0            2-26.5

Fumbles-Lost          2-2                 2-1

Penalities-Yards     4-35               8-60

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Red Oak: Billy Middleton 7-121, Lorenzo Holman 8-54, Kingston McAdams 9-48, Charles Taplin 2-7, Jacque Overton 1-0, Payten Fields 1-(-2), Team 3-(-17). Tyler: Ashton Arriaga 21-65, Caden Granberry 3-11, Team 1-0, Cadarius McMiller 2-(-2).

PASSING — Red Oak: Billy Middleton 15-21-0-183. Tyler: Caden Granberry 19-28-1-285.

RECEIVING — Red Oak: Brayden Robinson 9-153, Charles Taplin 3-20, Dayon Jackson 1-9, Kingston McAdams 1-2, Lorenzo Holman 1- (-1). Tyler: Ken’Trevyon Quinsey 4-82, Ashton Arriaga 4-53, LaTreyson Haralson 4-39, Nicholas Collins 3-53, Davion Sirles 3-47, Keondré Powers 1-11.