The Hebron Hawks fought valiantly but fell short against the undefeated Southlake Carroll Dragons in a 42-37 playoff battle on Friday. While the loss marked the end of Hebron’s season, it was a far closer contest than their September meeting, where Southlake Carroll dominated 59-16.

Crayton Jr. Shines Despite Loss
Hebron’s quarterback Patrick Crayton Jr. delivered another standout performance, rushing for 77 yards and four touchdowns while adding 224 passing yards and a touchdown. His connection with receiver Drew Koster, who tallied 91 receiving yards, kept Hebron competitive throughout. Crayton’s dual-threat abilities have been a cornerstone for the Hawks, with the team posting a 7-1 record when he scores at least two rushing touchdowns.

Renda Leads the Way for Dragons
For Southlake Carroll, quarterback Angelo Renda continued his stellar postseason run, rushing for 103 yards and three touchdowns while throwing for 304 yards and two scores with a 71.4% completion rate. Wide receiver Brock Boyd was nearly unstoppable, amassing 227 receiving yards and a touchdown, as the Dragons’ balanced attack proved too much for Hebron to handle.

Season Ends for Hebron
The loss snapped Hebron’s four-game winning streak and concluded their season with an 8-5 record. Despite the defeat, the Hawks showed grit and improvement, pushing one of the state’s top teams to the brink.

Dragons Eye the Next Round
Southlake Carroll improved to 13-0, keeping their perfect season alive. The Dragons’ offense, which has scored 31 or more points in every game this year, now turns its attention to their next challenge: a Saturday showdown against Guyer. With momentum and firepower on their side, the Dragons remain formidable contenders for the state title.