Hebron Christian Claims First-Ever Middle School Crown

Hebron Christian Academy didn't just win a championship — they made school history. For the first time ever, the middle school Lions captured the title, and they did it with a group of young athletes who played beyond their years, brought energy to the program, and left fans wondering:   Is this the beginning of something special at Hebron?   With the talent returning, the leadership emerging, and the culture being built, Hebron Christian Academy might have just signaled the start of a new era.   <h1 class="wp-block-heading">The Core of Hebron's Rise: A Roster Full of Gamers</h1>   This championship wasn't luck. It wasn't a one-week hot streak. It was the result of a complete team explosive with the ball, disciplined without it, and confident in big moments.   And the team's heart was led by a handful of players who each brought something unique to the historic run.    If one player defined toughness, competitiveness, and lockdown ability this season, it was [player_tooltip player_id='1692474' first='Briceson' last='Benton'].   Teams targeted him more than any other defensive back on the roster. Every week, opposing coordinators circled his side of the field and told their QB: “Attack No. 5. Test him.” And every week, they failed.   Benton allowed just ONE touchdown all season.   That stat alone tells the story under constant pressure, facing the opponent's and traveling with the best athletes, Benton held his ground with elite recovery speed, sharp instincts, and the confidence every true DB needs.   On offense, he was just as dangerous. Whether stretching the field with his speed, taking handoffs in the backfield, or turning routine plays into explosive gains, Benton changed the game wherever he lined up. He was the definition of a plug-and-play weapon.     If Benton was the shutdown artist, then [player_tooltip player_id='1611039' first='Jeremiah' last='Powers'] was the spark plug the Lions couldn't win without.   Hebron needed playmakers who could take control of games, move chains, and give the offense life—and that's exactly what Powers brought. He was exactly what the team needed on offense, and he delivered week after week.   With strong hands, crisp routes, and the ability to fight through contact, Powers became the reliable target that every quarterback dreams of. When Hebron needed a big catch, a tough grab in traffic, or a momentum-shifting play, Powers was there.   His impact wasn't loud—it was consistent. Not flashy—it was steady. Not occasional—it was constant.   Pair that with his physical, smart play on defense, and Powers became one of the most complete players on the roster.     1584 Passing yards, 10 Passing touchdowns, 1049 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns, I don't say this lightly, "Everything" Hebron did offensively ran through Sean Cooley. the 6'2 quarterback who already looks like the prototype of a future varsity standout. Cooley wasn't just the leader of the offense — he was the engine that made the entire team go.   His blend of size, arm talent, and mobility made him a nightmare to prepare for. With the ball in his hands, defenses had to respect every blade of grass. Cooley could stretch defenses vertically with a strong, effortless deep ball, drive throws into tight windows, and drop passes with a tight, consistent spiral that receivers love to catch.   When plays broke down, he extended them with his legs, buying time like a seasoned quarterback far beyond the middle school level. His poise under pressure, decision-making, and ability to stay calm in big moments looked more like a high school upperclassman than a young QB still developing.   And that's what makes his future so exciting — his ceiling is unbelievably high. Cooley has the tools to become one of the most complete quarterbacks Hebron has ever produced.   Hebron's ceiling rises because Cooley's ceiling isn't just high… it's sky-high.     Every championship team needs that one hitter… that one enforcer… that one player who sets the tone the moment he steps on the field.   For Hebron, that was Logan Carroll, the linebacker who brought a level of physicality that opponents simply weren't ready for. Carroll didn't just make tackles — he delivered statements. From the first snap to the last whistle, he played with a relentless edge, exploding through ball carriers, shutting down lanes, and punishing anyone brave enough to test the middle of the field. His ability to diagnose plays before they even fully developed made him a nightmare for opposing offenses, and his downhill speed turned routine runs into losses.   Carroll's presence changed game plans. Teams tried to run away from him, only to find out he had the range to chase plays down from sideline to sideline. He amped up his teammates, ignited the defense, and brought that old-school toughness every championship team needs. He wasn't just a leader — he was the emotional spark, the hammer of the defense, the player who made offenses think twice before calling certain plays.   He didn't just play linebacker — he lived it, breathed it, and enforced it     Games are won up front, and Jensen Swafford was the anchor Hebron depended on every single down. The offense didn't just run behind him — it trusted him. Swafford was the kind of offensive lineman every team wishes they had, a pure tone-setter who dominated the trenches, protected Cooley's blindside, and carved out lanes for Hebron's playmakers with force and precision.   He played with a nasty streak — passion, aggression, and finish — the exact combination every quarterback dreams of having in front of them. When Swafford locked onto a defender, the play was over. His footwork, leverage, and strength showed a maturity far beyond the middle school level, and his motor never dipped. Snap after snap, drive after drive, he imposed his will.   And here's the scary part for everyone else: he's only getting started. Swafford has the frame, the technique, the work ethic, and the edge that projects him as a future varsity standout — and possibly, one day, an SEC-caliber offensive lineman. The tools are there. The mindset is there. The dominance is already showing.   Hebron's stars got to shine because Swafford made sure they had the space to do it.     Injured for most of the season, Hebron's running back returned in the playoffs and immediately made his presence felt. When the playoffs arrived, he returned with a vengeance. From the moment he stepped onto the field, he made his presence known. Defensive fronts that had dominated all season suddenly found themselves rethinking every run. He ran with a combination of power, vision, and explosiveness that reminded everyone why he was a game-changer, breaking tackles, finding seams in the defense, and finishing runs with authority.   Breaking tackles, finding gaps, and finishing runs with authority. His energy and determination lifted the entire team, proving that even after adversity, he's a force to be reckoned with.   Hebron's championship run wasn't complete without him, and his performance proved that adversity only sharpened his game. If this middle school season is any indication, he's a player who refuses to be counted out — and his best is still ahead.       Terrence Melton Jr gave the Lions flexibility few teams could match. As a WR/DB, he added length, athleticism, and reliability to both sides of the ball. The son of a former NFL player, Melton's football IQ and preparation were on another level. He studied opponents, anticipated plays, and consistently positioned himself to make the biggest impact.   When Hebron needed a big conversion, Melton stepped up. He hauled in several long touchdown passes from Cooley, stretching defenses and turning key moments into game-changing plays. On defense, he was just as sharp, breaking up passes, making key interceptions and making crucial stops. His ability to flip seamlessly between offensive and defensive roles gave the Lions a unique advantage and forced opponents to account for him on every play.   Beyond the stats, his versatility, smarts, and big-play ability made Terrence Melton one of the most valuable chess pieces on the roster, a player who could change the course of a game in a single play and set the tone for a championship run.     Sometimes, championships are won in the shadows — in the positions no one notices until the big moment. For Hebron, that player was their nickelback, who stepped up in a huge way when it mattered most.   Throughout the season, he made key stops, shutting down passing lanes and supporting the run with intelligence and speed. But in the first round of the playoffs, he made his mark unforgettable: intercepting a pass and taking it all the way back for a pick-six, swinging momentum in Hebron's favor instantly.   His instincts, anticipation, and playmaking ability allowed him to control the middle of the field and force offenses to adjust. Quiet but deadly, the nickelback's contributions were critical to Hebron's championship run, proving that even the smallest positions can make the biggest impact.

Hebron Christian Academy didn't just win a championship — they made school history.
For the first time ever, the middle school Lions captured the title, and they did it with a group of young athletes who played beyond their years, brought energy to the program, and left fans wondering: