Hebron Soars Past Rock Hill in Dominant Playoff Victory
In a commanding performance Thursday night, the Hebron Hawks secured their first playoff victory since 2019, decisively defeating the Rock Hill Blue Hawks 48-16 in the bi-district round at Prosper ISD Children’s Health Stadium. Fueled by an explosive offense and a resilient defense, Hebron showcased why they’ve become a force to be reckoned with in recent weeks.
Crayton’s Record Night Leads Hebron
Senior quarterback Patrick “PJ” Crayton Jr. delivered a standout performance, racking up 324 total yards and six touchdowns—four through the air and two on the ground. Crayton’s precision passing was on full display as he completed 78.3% of his throws, amassing 298 passing yards by halftime. His efforts have become a reliable predictor of Hebron’s success; the team boasts a 6-1 record when he scores multiple rushing touchdowns.
Sheldon Armour, Crayton’s go-to target, turned in a career night with eight receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The highlight came early in the first quarter when Armour turned a 96-yard bomb from Crayton into Hebron’s opening score, breaking the game wide open and setting the tone for the evening.
Dominating Start on Both Sides of the Ball
Hebron’s defense wasted no time making their presence felt. Senior defensive back Jeylin Cook intercepted Rock Hill quarterback Christian Lewis during the Blue Hawks’ second drive, returning it 20 yards to set up a 33-yard field goal by junior kicker Cameron Allen. This extended Hebron’s lead to 10-0 in the first quarter.
Rock Hill tried to swing the momentum with a bold fake punt attempt in the second quarter, but Hebron’s senior defender Caleb Kilbert sniffed out the play, tackling Rock Hill’s kicker for a loss. Seven plays later, Crayton found Armour in the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown, putting the Hawks firmly in control at 17-0.
Rock Hill Struggles to Gain Traction
Rock Hill faced an uphill battle after falling behind 31-0 midway through the third quarter. Senior quarterback Jiyere Cogshell finally broke through for the Blue Hawks, setting up their first touchdown with a 29-yard reception before running it in himself from the 1-yard line.
Moments later, Rock Hill capitalized on a rare Hebron mistake. After pinning the Hawks deep with a well-placed punt, Rock Hill linebacker Max Wrobel scooped up a Crayton fumble and returned it for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 31-13. But any hopes of a comeback were short-lived.
Hebron Seals the Deal
Crayton responded with his fifth touchdown of the night, capping off a 54-yard drive with a 6-yard pass to senior receiver Hoke. Allen added a fourth-quarter field goal before Crayton delivered the finishing blow with a bruising 7-yard rushing touchdown, bringing the final score to 48-16. Senior safety Caleb Kilbert sealed the game with a late interception, further emphasizing Hebron’s dominance.
A Historic Step for Hebron
The win advances Hebron to the area round, marking a significant milestone in their playoff journey. While Rock Hill exits the postseason in their fifth year as a program, they showed flashes of promise, with Lewis contributing 254 total yards and Cogshell adding 67 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Hebron’s success stems not only from Crayton’s leadership but also from contributions across the roster. Junior running back Ayson McCray-Jones churned out 110 hard-fought yards on 25 carries, while Allen’s reliable kicking added critical points.
As the Hawks move forward, their sights are set on continuing their winning streak. If Thursday’s performance is any indication, Hebron is poised to be a formidable opponent in the next round.
