With an opportunity to make last-minute improvements before the playoffs, the varsity football team (7-2, 5-1 in District 6-6A) will face the Hebron Hawks (4-4, 3-3) at Brian Brazil Stadium on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. in the final game of the regular season.

“We’re expecting a playoff type of game because they’re trying to beat us and make it into the playoffs,” junior offensive lineman Michael Fasusi said. “Hebron’s a good team and played a pretty good game last year. We’re expecting the same this year.”

The Farmers secured a playoff spot with a 26-3 win against the Plano East Panthers (5-4, 3-3) on Friday, Oct. 27. The Hawks will automatically qualify for the playoffs with a win, holding a tiebreaking 38-28 win over the Panthers.

“They’re a young team with nothing to lose,” senior linebacker Mark Cooper said. “They’re still looking for a chance to get into the playoffs. We want to put our foot on their necks early and keep it down to try and crash their playoff dreams.”

The Hawks are coming off a 41-28 win over the Plano West Wolves (1-8, 1-5). Junior quarterback Patrick Crayton Jr. threw for 135 passing yards and was the team’s leading rusher in the win, rushing for 121 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Their focal point on offense will be running the ball as three players, including Crayton, got 10 or more carries against the Wolves.

“Hebron’s got a good quarterback and they’ve got athletes,” special teams coordinator Robert Lewis said. “They’re going to try and run the ball, sling it a little bit. Defensively, they’re going to try and man cover us and try to bring some pressure as well.”

Hebron’s defense is loaded with athletes like junior Bo Onu and senior Connor Dean. Both players, primarily playing safety, are among the team’s top tacklers, and Onu has the size to drop to linebacker if necessary. The team’s secondary has 16 interceptions, with Onu and Dean responsible for three and two respectively.

The Farmers defense continues to be its greatest strength through four consecutive wins. The team has allowed 5.5 points per game over the span and intercepted four passes against the Panthers. Junior defensive end Sean Oliver returned his interception for a touchdown, also recording a sack against Panthers senior quarterback Drew Devillier.

“It was just another game,” Cooper said. “We knew what we had to do and took our jobs seriously. It’s another step toward where we want to be.”

Oliver has been a standout all season, leading the team with 54 solo tackles and 73 combined tackles. His 10.5 sacks is already more than any one player had on the team last season. 

Oliver first took varsity snaps in last season’s playoffs. The team is elevating freshmen and junior varsity players to get experience and potentially make an impact in the playoffs like Oliver. Freshman quarterback Tre Williams attempted seven passes, completing three for 60 yards in his first varsity game against Plano East.

“Last year, I was a 15 year old going against 18 year olds,” Fasusi said. “Now, it doesn’t matter who, I just want to beat them. That’s what we get from experience and how you get better at football. Younger players getting experience is one of the best things we can have.”

The Farmers and Marcus Marauders (4-5, 4-2) secured a playoff spot with wins last week. The Farmers will play in the Class 6A-1 bracket, but their opponent will depend on whoever qualifies for the postseason between the Hawks and Panthers. 

Regardless of who the team faces in the opening round, the team will look for a win at Hebron to enter the playoffs with five consecutive wins. The opportunity to play underclassmen and find contributors like Oliver will only help strengthen the roster in preparation for teams like the Prosper Eagles (8-1, 6-0), which the team is likely to face in the bi-district round.

“They’re going to come in hungry and give us their best shot,” Lewis said. “Once you get between the white lines, the main focus is making sure we do everything we can to get the win. Whoever gives us the best chance to win and has the hot hand in the game, that’s who we’re rolling with. Going 1-0 is the mission, no matter what game for what purpose.”