Hawkins rallied from a 22-point deficit and briefly took the lead before Overton pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 61-44 win Friday.
The loss was the first of the season for the Hawks, who fell to 3-1 heading into the District 10-2A Division I opener against Cayuga Friday at Lowrance Stadium.
Overton, ranked No. 13, jumped to a 21-6 lead in the first quarter. Hawkins responded with 18 points in the second, while the Mustangs added 13 to take a 34-24 lead into halftime.
The Hawks continued to cut into the deficit in the third quarter and trailed 41-38 entering the fourth. Hawkins eventually erased what had been a 22-point Overton advantage and took the lead before the Mustangs regained control.
“I was really proud of our guys for showing a lot of character coming back from 22 down to make a game of it, but they got us in the fourth quarter. We had some ups and downs and eventually lost the game. Eli was responsible for five touchdowns, three through the air and two on the ground,” head coach Bill Cowley said.
Quarterback Eli Smith accounted for five Hawkins touchdowns, throwing three and rushing for two.
Hawkins took the lead in the fourth quarter, but Overton answered by returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.
“We had the momentum going our way when we scored to go ahead, and then let them run back the kick-off for a score. We took the lead and gave it right back to them,” Cowley said.
Overton outscored Hawkins 20-6 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
The Hawks now turn their attention to Cayuga, which enters district play 4-0. The Wildcats have defeated Tyler Bishop Gorman 42-14, Ore City 21-12, Mount Enterprise 52-0 and Itasca 42-14.
Cayuga is averaging more than 39 points per game through its first four games.
“On offense, Cayuga runs from a ‘Power I’ backfield. They are going to try and run between the tackles which they have had success with this season. They don’t pass too much, but when they do, they have had success. They also have a good quarterback,” Cowley said.
Cayuga, Carlisle and Frankston each finished nondistrict play undefeated. Hawkins and Como-Pickton enter district play at 3-1, followed by Alba-Golden at 1-3 and Kerens at 0-4.
“The big thing for us is just coming out tough after the hard fought loss we had at Overton. We need to put everything together and not make the same mistakes,” Cowley said.
Hawkins hosts Cayuga Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Lowrance Stadium.