Special to the Chickasaw Journal

PHEBA - Consistency is key and the Hebron Eagles used theirs to post a 39-31 victory over Tupelo Christian Prep and land a berth in post season action.

The Eagles got on the board first with a 12-yard run from Jo Jo Pearson and followed it with a Tate Cutshall conversion for the 8-0 lead. Pearson hit Will Watkins with a 65-yard pass for another TD and Cutshall got the PAT to put the Eagles up 15-0 and close the first quarter.

The TCPS team made a showing in the second and fourth quarters, but the Eagles lead couldn't be broken as they determinedly kept up the TD/conversion pace per quarter.

TCPS QB Brett Pierce got a two yard pass to Darius Garrett for a second quarter score and Garrettt got the PAT. But Hebron stayed with their formula as Pearson ran one in 23 yards and followed with the conversion.

Tupelo's Pierce hit Garrett from 57-yard, but the conversion failed.

Tupelo started off the third quarter with a pass from Logan Ayres to Pierce and missed the conversion, but Hebron was steady on the course as Pearson hit Falkner for 30 yards and a TD and ran the conversion in.

In the fourth quarter, TCPS scored on a pass from Pierce to Braxton Melanson but missed the PAT. Pearson responded with a 26-yard pass to Falkner for a TD and Will Watkins ran in the two-points.

Tupelo gained one more TD on a one-yard run by Pierce and missed one more PAT and Hebron took the 39-31 win.

Stats

Pearson had 23 carries for 203 yards with two TD. He went 7-11 in the air for 159 yards and 3 TD.

Watkins had 193 all-purpose yards.

Falkner was 2-2 receiving for 56 yards and two TD.

On defense, Pearson nailed nine solo tackles, three assists and one pass deflected.

Watkins had 10 solo tackles with two assists.

Falkner had five solo tackles, four assists, one pass deflection and one fumble caused.

The win bought the Hebron the home field advantage in their first playoff game and their third consecutive entry into the post season.

The Eagles will head to Calhoun for 8-man ball this Friday night.