Hebron survives Plano's rally for 8-5A victory
September, 30, 2011
9/30/11
11:24
PM CT
CARROLLTON, Texas – After playing four nail-biters this season, it looked like Hebron would finally get to rest easy in the fourth quarter against Plano on Friday.
The problem is, the Hawks did.
Nursing a 21-point lead, Hebron relaxed and Plano took advantage, giving the Hawks a scare by scoring on back-to-back drives.
But the Hawks survived by running out the clock on their final drive to escape with a 31-24 win at Hawk Stadium.
"We were relaxing," said Hebron quarterback Joseph Farley. "We made mental mistakes, penalties, big penalties. Sometimes that happens but we fought through it."
Hebron (4-1, 2-0 in 8-5A) and Plano (3-2, 0-2) seem headed in different directions following their game Friday. Hebron has won four straight behind its strong defense, including two wins in 8-5A play over teams it will likely have to beat out for a playoff spot.
Plano, however, hasn't measured up to the elite competition in its district and is now stuck in an 0-2 hole. Missing the playoffs entirely isn't out of the question.
Plano made it a point to keep Hebron from running the ball with its defensive alignments, so the Hawks turned to their passing game.
Farley had his best game of the year, going 19-for-24 for 290 yards and three total touchdowns.
"We took what was there," Hebron coach Brian Brazil said. "We're going to take what they give us. That's the whole idea of the no-huddle offense."
But it was a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jamal Adams to open the second half that allowed Hebron to start pulling away. The score gave the Hawks a 21-7 lead.
Following a Plano field goal, Farley hit a wide-open Brandon Grant for a 74-yard touchdown, and the Hawks opened the fourth quarter with a field goal to extend its lead to 31-10.
That's when the Hawks thought they had it won.
Plano responded with an 80-yard scoring drive where the Wildcats finally found some offense. Following a Hebron three-and-out, Plano running back Rakeem Crawford scored on a dazzling 34-yard run to put Plano within a touchdown with just under five minutes remaining.
Hebron didn't give Plano a chance to score the equalizer. The Hawks sealed the win by converting a third down with two minutes left on a shuffle pass to Dezmond Wortham, a play they'd stung Plano with all game long.
"We lost our sense of urgency," Brazil said. "Plano's kids just kept battling. We were real fortunate to be able to run out the clock on that last drive."
The problem is, the Hawks did.
Nursing a 21-point lead, Hebron relaxed and Plano took advantage, giving the Hawks a scare by scoring on back-to-back drives.
But the Hawks survived by running out the clock on their final drive to escape with a 31-24 win at Hawk Stadium.
"We were relaxing," said Hebron quarterback Joseph Farley. "We made mental mistakes, penalties, big penalties. Sometimes that happens but we fought through it."
Hebron (4-1, 2-0 in 8-5A) and Plano (3-2, 0-2) seem headed in different directions following their game Friday. Hebron has won four straight behind its strong defense, including two wins in 8-5A play over teams it will likely have to beat out for a playoff spot.
Plano, however, hasn't measured up to the elite competition in its district and is now stuck in an 0-2 hole. Missing the playoffs entirely isn't out of the question.
Plano made it a point to keep Hebron from running the ball with its defensive alignments, so the Hawks turned to their passing game.
Farley had his best game of the year, going 19-for-24 for 290 yards and three total touchdowns.
"We took what was there," Hebron coach Brian Brazil said. "We're going to take what they give us. That's the whole idea of the no-huddle offense."
But it was a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jamal Adams to open the second half that allowed Hebron to start pulling away. The score gave the Hawks a 21-7 lead.
Following a Plano field goal, Farley hit a wide-open Brandon Grant for a 74-yard touchdown, and the Hawks opened the fourth quarter with a field goal to extend its lead to 31-10.
That's when the Hawks thought they had it won.
Plano responded with an 80-yard scoring drive where the Wildcats finally found some offense. Following a Hebron three-and-out, Plano running back Rakeem Crawford scored on a dazzling 34-yard run to put Plano within a touchdown with just under five minutes remaining.
Hebron didn't give Plano a chance to score the equalizer. The Hawks sealed the win by converting a third down with two minutes left on a shuffle pass to Dezmond Wortham, a play they'd stung Plano with all game long.
"We lost our sense of urgency," Brazil said. "Plano's kids just kept battling. We were real fortunate to be able to run out the clock on that last drive."
RESOURCES
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Travis L. Brown
Travis L. Brown covers high schools for ESPNDallas.com. He is a graduate of TCU, where he was sports editor of the student paper, The Daily Skiff.
Randy Jennings
Randy Jennings covers south Metroplex high schools for ESPNDallas.com. His 34-year career as a sports writer includes eight years at the Dallas Morning News. Jennings is a graduate of UT-Arlington.
Jeff Andrews
Jeff Andrews covers north Metroplex high schools for ESPNDallas.com. He covered high school sports for four years at the Denton Record-Chronicle. Andrews is a graduate of UNT.
You must be signed in to post a comment