Hawthorne football makes statement in muddy marquee win over Miami Northwestern

Hawthorne turned a muddy, high-stakes matchup into a defensive statement, beating Miami Northwestern 16-12 at Annie Mae Phillips Stadium on Thursday night. The Hornets improved to 4-0 in the 2026 season and handed the Bulls their first loss. Hawthorne’s physical, defense-first style set the tone, but the game shifted sharply after quarterback Richard Roundtree injured his ankle on the first drive. He returned, though he reportedly struggled to move effectively in the pocket. Despite that, Hawthorne relied on rushing touchdowns from Dakarai Wiggins and two interceptions—one at the goal line—from Ari Bentley to hold on. The report says the story will be updated.