Ezra O’Neal III (88) shown here against Plano Sept. 22, had a kickoff return for a touchdown to start the 2nd half at Hebron

CARROLLTON – For a moment, the Plano East Panthers took a lead to start the second half.

Ezra O’Neal III took the second half’s opening kickoff back 95 yards to give Plano East (1-1 in 6-6A, 3-2) a 17-14 lead on the road. That moment ended quickly, however, as Hebron (1-1 in 6-6A, 3-2) scored on three straight drives to start the third quarter and win 38-28. 

The Hawks were led by the aerial assault led by quarterback Patrick Crayton Jr., who completed nearly 80 percent of his passes and threw two touchdowns. He had 313 total yards in the game, leading Hebron to outpacing Plano East in total yardage, 481-324. 

The Panthers struggled mightily to move the ball for most of the game. They took the initial lead on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Drew Devillier to Caden Warner, which followed Jace Boutte’s blocked punt, but failed to reach the red zone until the final play of the third quarter. On that very next play, a sack and fumble took them out. 

East brought it back to two scores late, following a 56-yard touchdown pass to Jaylon Hatcher. Down 10 with the ball, the Panthers missed a 42-yard field goal with 19 seconds left and a chance to trim the lead and give themselves a chance at an onside kick.

Following the loss, Plano East will hope to regroup next Friday when they host Flower Mound at Kimbrough Stadium.

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By Kyle Grondin • [email protected]