Lions Conclude Season at State Playoffs Against Cedar Grove 30-27

CLARKSTON, Ga.- The No. 4 seed Hebron football team concluded the 2023 season in the first round of the state playoffs against No. 1 seed Cedar Grove 30-27 at James R. Hallford Stadium on Friday night.

Both defensive squads proved themselves in the first quarter with neither team being able to score on offense. The Lions tied up the score at seven with a rushing touchdown from Jarvis Mathurin in the second. 

The Saints improved their lead before heading into the locker room 17-7 over HCA. The score remained stagnant in the third with the Lions looking to increase their lead. Cedar Grove improved their score 23-7, but the Lions answered back another score from Mathurin, who had a total of five scores on the season. 

Adrian Hollingshed added to the Lions score with a 65 yard rushing touchdown. The Lions were only down 30-20 with five minutes left in the game. Hebron cut the Saints lead to three after a touchdown pass from Thomas Stallworth to Gerritt Kemp with three minutes left in regulation. 

The Lions could not answer off an on-side kick from Nils Cole with the final score being 30-27 at the end of regulation. The Saints improve to 6-5 and will advance to the next round of the GHSA state playoffs against Bremen on Nov. 17. This marks the fourth straight year the Lions have qualified for state. 

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