GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Red Hawks football squad concluded its 2025 season today as they fell to Arizona Christian 46-39. 

The Firestorm drew first blood as the defense made a huge play, forcing a pick-six to take the early 7-0 lead. 

The Red Hawks got on the board to begin the second quarter as kicker Brayden Smith drilled a 42-yard field goal. 

However, the Firestorm answered as they found the endzone on back-to-back drives to take the commanding 21-3 lead. 

Simpson found the endzone on a crucial drive as Sawyer Hokanson connected with wideout Mason Kershaw for a 33-yard gain, as they tacked on 15 more yards off an ACU penalty. 

Ezekiel Anderson capped off the drive with a six-yard touchdown run as Simpson converted on the two-point attempt to make it a 21-11 game. 

The Red Hawks just missed adding points before the half as Smith's field goal went wide to the left from 45 yards out. The Firestorm took advantage and converted a field goal to take the 24-11 lead going into the half.

Arizona Christian scored the first points of the second half on a 69-yard touchdown run. 

However, that is all the Red Hawks allowed in the third quarter as D'ante Benjamin scored on the ensuing drive for a 60-yard touchdown run. 

The Red Hawks' special teams made a huge play as James Webster broke through and blocked the punt to set up the Simpson offense deep in Firestorm territory. 

Kaleb Anderson found the endzone on an 11-yard touchdown run to take advantage of the great field position to pull Simpson within six. 

The special teams unit came up with another dynamic play as return man, Talan Ramirez, weaved through traffic for an electric 38-yard punt return. 

On a third and short, running back Ezekiel Anderson found the endzone for the second time as Smith's extra points gave Simpson the 32-31 lead. 

The Firestorm found the endzone on back-to-back drives to begin the fourth quarter to make it a two-possession game. 

Simpson's last gasp came on a long touchdown drive as Hokanson found Makai James in the back of the endzone for a 12-yard touchdown connection on fourth and eight. 

But the Firestorm offense never allowed the Red Hawks offense back on the field as they held onto the 46-39 victory. 

D'ante Benjamin led the Red Hawks' rushing attack with 113 yards and one touchdown while E. Anderson added 90 yards of his own to go along with two scores. 

Joshua De La Cruz Jr. led the defense with 11 total tackles, as Nicholas Gonzales and William Weathington followed close behind with eight. 

With the loss, Simpson concludes its first season in the prestigious Frontier Conference, going 0-10 as they look to head into the offseason to prepare for the 2026 season. 
 

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