With four straight games of 30+ points, it looked like the Giants varsity football team had finally found its offense. But Saturday afternoon, against their rival Tamalpais (Tam), Redwood’s rhythm disappeared, and the Hawks retained the trophy with a final score of 7-2, their third consecutive year taking the victory.
Students and parents alike, in their 2025 rivalry T-shirts, watched begrudgingly as neither team generated any form of offense in a scoreless first half. After starting quarterback Tommy Vasquez led several three-and-out drives, the Giants gave junior Cash Ward a chance late in the second quarter. Ward completed an eight-yard pass to senior Will D’Amario, but on the ensuing play, threw an interception intended for D’Amario again across the middle. Tam returned the pick into Redwood territory, setting up a last-second field goal attempt that missed wide left.
The Hawks opened the second half with a failed onside kick, giving Redwood favorable field position. With Vasquez back under center, the Giants went three-and-out again, forcing senior William Suko to punt for the fifth time. Redwood’s defense kept the game close, as senior Dylan McGrath ended a Tam drive with an interception and D’Amario recovered a fumble at midfield.
But the Giants’ offense couldn’t stay on the field. Vasquez missed McGrath open across the middle, nearly being intercepted, then got sacked on third down. The Giants punted once again. When they got the ball back, it was Ward back at quarterback. The result? Another punt. Eventually, the defense wore down. The Hawks drove the ball into Redwood territory and broke the game open with a 39-yard touchdown, the lone score of the afternoon. Tam sealed the game by catching another interception, then ran the clock out by taking a safety in the final seconds.
Despite the loss, Redwood still had a few bright spots. Senior Riley Ulin had 19 carries for 87 rushing yards, and senior Ben Vaughn contributed on both sides of the ball with several catches and four tackles for loss.
The Giants will look to bounce back on Oct. 18 against Napa for their homecoming game, where they were victorious 55-21 in their previous season.
