Hebron defeats Lake Travis in thriller to claim DI 7-on-7 championship

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COLLEGE STATION -The Hebron Hawks proved to the entire state just how dangerous a team they could be when they get rolling as Hebron secured its first ever Texas State 7-on-7 title by knocking off Lake Travis, 28-26, in a thriller to conclude a stretch of five wins in three and a half hours on Saturday afternoon. 

Quarterback Jacob Buniff led an efficient Hebron offense in the title game throwing four touchdown passes on the first four drives of the game, two each to speedy Takoda Bridges and Cobye Baldwin, and the Hawks defense came up with big plays, including a key end zone interception late in the second half by LB Matt Howard and a stop on a two-point conversion with no time left, to give Hebron the crown. 

Hebron opened up the game quickly as Buniff hooked up with Bridges for a 32-yard touchdown toss and the all-important PAT was good and the Hawks led 7-0. Lake Travis would answer quickly with QB Bo Edmundson hooking up with Isaac Norris for a short touchdown pass, but the PAT for the Cavs would be no good and that would prove to loom large later on. 

Hebron would extend the lead on their next drive as Buniff hooked up with Baldwin on a short pass and then Baldwin made a sensational move on the sidelines for a 45-yard touchdown pass to give the Hawks a 14-6 lead after the PAT. Lake Travis would cut the lead to 14-13 as Edmondson and Norris connected once again for the score and a successful PAT. Hebron would again take to the long ball as Buniff connected with Bridges on a 45-yard scoring strike and a successful PAT put the Hawks up 21-13 right before halftime. Lake Travis would have two plays to try and score but the buzzer sounded and the Cavs were down eight to start the second half. 

The Cavs would open the second half with an answer as Edmundson and Noah Byrd connected for a two-yard touchdown pass to again cut the lead to one-point at 21-20. Hebron had the answer as Baldwin made a sensational leaping touchdown reception over a Lake Travis DB draped all over him to extend the Hawks lead to 28-20. Lake Travis would move inside the red zone on their next drive, but Hebron LB Matt Howard made what looked to be the play of the game, picking off an Edmundson pass in the end zone to give the Hawks the ball with an eight-point lead and just under five minutes left.

Hebron would pick up one first down, but on a 3rd and two, instead of getting a first down the Hawks elected to go for the end zone and the pass was incomplete giving Lake Travis under a minute to work with. The Cavs proved why they can be so deadly needing to three plays to find the end zone as Edmundson hooked up with Norris for a third time, this time from six yards out to make it 28-26 with no time remaining. The Lake Travis two-point PAT was incomplete as Edmondson’s pass was just over the reach of the Lake Travis WR and the Hebron Hawks emerged from College Station with a title and an 8-0 record on the weekend. 

Hebron QB Jacob Buniff had nothing but praise for his teammates postgame. 

“I know we have playmakers all over the field and I just have to do my job and get the ball to my guys," he said. "We’ve been going through summer workouts, the guys did a great job staying hydrated and working hard. It’s really incredible to come out here and win a title with my brothers, we know it’s not the real thing but we are hoping this type of success carries over into the season.” 

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