PITTSBORO – The Hebron Eagles have posted some success this season and gained another in their quest for post-season play with a big 32-0 shutout of Calhoun Academy.

The Cougars came out strong in the first quarter, but the Eagles responded well.

“We kicked to them and they were having a pretty good drive,” said Statistician Michael Shelton. “Coach made an adjustment to the defense on the 15-yard line and that stopped them in their tracks. They never got going again.”

The Eagles kept their game on the ground, racking up 397 yards. Hearn Foster threw the only pass, with the exception of conversion attempts, to Yance Faulkner for a 27-yard gain, but the running game worked to the Eagles advantage.

By the quarters

Ryan Pinnix got the Eagles on the board in the first quarter with an eight-yard run for TD and followed it with a two-yard TD run. Blake Harrell ran in the second conversion attempt for a 14-8 Hebron lead.

Faulkner got his moments in the second quarter with a three-yard TD run and an 18-yard TD. Both conversion attempts failed.

The third quarter saw Joe Crow carry the ball 13 times for 40 yards and a TD.

“They just kept handing it to him,” Shelton said. “Out of 15 plays, he ran it 13 times.”

Crow made his debut good, punching over a one-yard TD to score the final points of the game.

Both teams went scoreless in the fourth quarter, with the Hebron boys trying out new positions. Six linemen had the opportunity to step in as RB.

“Just to see who could run the ball,” Shelton said. “They did a good job.”

Stats

Defensively, the Eagles recorded good numbers with Jordan Jackson, J.D. Edwards, Blake Harrell and Hearn Foster all getting four solo tackles each.

Yance Faulkner, Jae Shaw and Mitch Fondren all had three solos each.

Harrell was the big play maker with a pass deflection, fumble recovery and interception.

Upcoming action

The Eagles will face their final opponent on the road at Winona with everything on the line.

A win by less than 13 points puts the Eagles in the second spot for playoffs, while a win by over 13 points give them the division championship. A loss to Winona will send the Eagles home.