Big-Play Saints End Bears’ Run in 6A Semifinal

Shiloh Christian 52, Sylvan Hills 28

Shiloh Christian used explosive plays and a relentless passing attack to end Sylvan Hills’ breakout season, 52-28, in a Class 6A semifinal Friday night at Bill Blackwood Field. The win sends the Saints back to the state championship game for a seventh straight year.

Senior running back Griffin Mason opened the scoring with a short touchdown run and added a two‑point reception from junior quarterback Cole Creighton for an 8-0 lead. Creighton later found senior receiver Zane Sluyter for another first‑quarter score and a 14-0 cushion.

Sylvan Hills answered in the second quarter when junior tailback Isaiah Howell cut in from close range, but Shiloh Christian countered with touchdown runs by sophomore back Charlie Krell and Creighton to build a 28-12 halftime advantage.

The Bears, enjoying their first 10‑win season since 1980, punched back after halftime. Senior quarterback Tyler Hampton capped the opening drive with a sneak and hit Lakobe Brent for a two‑point conversion to pull within 28-20. After a Saints field goal, Sylvan Hills dialed up a double pass: Hampton flipped to Howell, who tossed back to Brent and then sprinted free down the sideline for a long touchdown that cut the deficit to 31-28.

Creighton and senior receiver Charlie Kemp answered with two deep scoring connections, and Krell added a late touchdown run as the Saints pulled away. Creighton finished with more than 300 passing yards and multiple touchdown throws. Howell paced Sylvan Hills with two touchdowns and more than 150 yards of total offense, while Hampton added a rushing score and spread the ball to playmakers Jeremiah Carey and Ryan Parham.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Shiloh Christian – Griffin Mason run (Creighton to Sluyter pass), Shiloh Christian 8, Sylvan Hills 0
Shiloh Christian – Zane Sluyter pass from Cole Creighton (conversion failed), Shiloh Christian 14, Sylvan Hills 0

2nd Quarter
Sylvan Hills – Isaiah Howell run (kick blocked), Shiloh Christian 14, Sylvan Hills 6
Shiloh Christian – Charlie Krell run (kick good), Shiloh Christian 21, Sylvan Hills 6
Sylvan Hills – Jeremiah Carey pass from Tyler Hampton (conversion failed), Shiloh Christian 21, Sylvan Hills 12
Shiloh Christian – Cole Creighton run (kick good), Shiloh Christian 28, Sylvan Hills 12

3rd Quarter
Sylvan Hills – Tyler Hampton run (Hampton to Lakobe Brent pass), Shiloh Christian 28, Sylvan Hills 20
Shiloh Christian – field goal (kick good), Shiloh Christian 31, Sylvan Hills 20
Sylvan Hills – Isaiah Howell pass from Lakobe Brent (Howell run), Shiloh Christian 31, Sylvan Hills 28
Shiloh Christian – Charlie Kemp pass from Cole Creighton (kick good), Shiloh Christian 38, Sylvan Hills 28

4th Quarter
Shiloh Christian – Charlie Kemp pass from Cole Creighton (kick good), Shiloh Christian 45, Sylvan Hills 28
Shiloh Christian – Charlie Krell run (kick good), Shiloh Christian 52, Sylvan Hills 28

Players Who Stood Out

• Cole Creighton, QB, Shiloh Christian – Steady all night with over 300 passing yards, multiple touchdown throws and a rushing score directing the Saints’ up‑tempo attack.

• Charlie Kemp, WR/DB, Shiloh Christian – Vertical threat who hauled in two long touchdown receptions and several other explosive gains that flipped field position.

• Isaiah Howell, RB/OLB, Sylvan Hills – Workhorse for the Bears with two touchdowns (one rushing, one on a trick‑play catch), a two‑point run and over 150 yards of total offense.

• Tyler Hampton, QB/FS, Sylvan Hills – Accounted for a rushing touchdown and a two‑point pass, led multiple scoring drives and repeatedly extended plays against heavy pressure.

• Jaden Noble, DL/LB, Sylvan Hills – Generated a sack and several quarterback pressures, including a key grounding call, while battling a powerful Saints front.