Reuben Faloughi stood before his teammates at Evans' pregame meal Friday and reminded them what it meant to win.
The linebacker was referring to the phrase Knights coaches and players have used all season, having turned win into an acronym standing for "What's important now?"
The approach has helped them focus on the next task and no further.
After Evans' 27-10 win over Richmond Academy completed a 10-0 regular season, their next target is a first-round home playoff game Friday. The Knights will be the top seed out of Region 3-AAAA.
"It sums up the whole season," Faloughi said of his pregame speech. "What's important now? It's crazy."
The Musketeers were also already guaranteed a playoff spot, the school's first berth in 10 years. Richmond Academy finished with three region losses after a fast start but did enough to secure the region's fourth seed.
"We're happy with the playoffs," Musketeers coach Chris Hughes said.
"We wish we could have been more competitive in the second half (against Evans). But that's a good team. We're happy with the turnaround."
The undefeated season and region championship were the Knights' first since 1987. On Friday, they welcomed the school's first football team, which played its first season in 1958.
The old-timers attended the Knights' pregame meal at West Acres Baptist Church and shared stories about playing on a field riddled with rocks and broken glass.
Evans had its stadium lights malfunction this season, but that's about as tough as it has gotten for coach Marty Jackson's team 50 years after the first group of Evans players took the field.
The Knights led 10-7 at halftime before running back Jonathan Finch found his groove.
The junior scored twice in the second half, including a 56-yard touchdown run in the fourth.
Evans students crowded the track and emptied onto the field as the final horn sounded.
The Knights, whose 23 seniors were honored before the game, lingered on the field accepting congratulations.
Evans will play host to the fourth seed out of Region 4-AAAA on Friday, which Jackson said he expects to be Mount Zion.
The Knights are starting the playoffs unbeaten and as region champions.
But the mantra still stands.
"What's important now is practice," Faloughi said.
Reach Stephen Fastenau at (706) 863-6165 ext. 116 or stephen.fastenau@augustachronicle.com.
EVANS 27, RICHMOND ACA. 10
PLAY OF THE GAME: Evans was backed up to its own 3-yard line late in the third quarter and facing a third-and-27. Knights running back Jonathan Finch ripped off a 38-yard run and later scored on the same drive.
WHY EVANS WON: The Knights made the right adjustments at halftime, outscoring the Musketeers 17-3 in the final two quarters.
WHY RICHMOND ACADEMY LOST: The Musketeers did a good job of bottling up Finch early, but they allowed the Knights back to get 180 yards and two touchdowns in the second half.
STAR OF THE GAME: Finch had another big game. He can credit his line for several key blocks that opened the way for a 56-yard TD run early in the fourth.
NEXT: Evans will play host to a first-round playoff game Friday.
icon.
