Before Friday night, Evans was content to rely on its defense and ask the offense to play mistake-free during a run to an undefeated regular season and region title.
This time, everything fell apart.
The Knights came out flat in the first round of the GHSA Class AAAA playoffs, losing 36-10 to Mt. Zion- Jonesboro to end their perfect season.
Evans committed six turnovers during the entire regular season. It surpassed that number in one playoff game -- two fumbles, three interceptions, a muffed punt and a turnover on downs.
"Like my momma told me, 'There will be days,' " Evans coach Marty Jackson said. "This was one of those days."
The Bulldogs jumped on the Knights early thanks to good field position. Of Mt. Zion's six first-half drives, four began inside the Knights' 15.
It started with a line-drive punt.
That Knights' punt was caught just past the line of scrimmage and returned to Evans' 12. The Bulldogs scored on the next play.
An interception on the Knights' next drive gave the Bulldogs possession at Evans' 14. It took them three plays to punch it in again.
Another interception set the Bulldogs up on the Knights' 13 in the second quarter, but Evans' defense held.
A Bulldogs' punt from their own 28 was touched by an Evans player and recovered by Mt. Zion. The Bulldogs scored again with 1:09 left in the first half.
The Knights outgained the Bulldogs 101-63 in the first half. They ran 14 more plays. But when the first two quarters were over, Evans was well on its way to loss No. 1.
Evans running back Jonathan Finch appeared done for the game after a hard hit in the first quarter. The junior said after the game he had hyperextended his knee and required ice and stretching on the sideline.
He would return two series later, but the Bulldogs held the Knights' standout in check.
"We knew we had to stop No. 3 (Finch)," Bulldogs quarterback Jerrel King said. "We did that."
The Bulldogs were the No. 4 seed out of Region 4.
Jackson figured the team's critics would decry Friday's loss as proof the Knights' undefeated season was built on a mediocre region schedule. He and his players were having none of it.
"We worked so hard this season," a teary Brandon Ketchup said. "This was just a mishap. I wish we could play with this cast one more time."
MT. ZION-JONESBORO 36, EVANS 10
PLAY OF THE GAME: Bulldogs kick returner Greg Young set the tone early, returning the Knights' first punt 64 yards to set up Mt. Zion's first score.
WHY MT. ZION WON: The Bulldogs hit hard on defense and didn't turn the ball over.
WHY EVANS LOST: The Knights had six total turnovers during the regular season. They turned the ball over seven times Friday.
STAR OF THE GAME: Bulldogs quarterback Jerrel King completed only two passes, but they were both for touchdowns. The junior also rushed for two touchdowns.
BURKE COUNTY 42, MARY PERSONS 14
Mary Persons 0 0 0 14 -- 14
Burke County 14 21 7 0 -- 42
First Quarter
BC--Terrell Brigham 5 run (kick failed), 7:13.
BC--Bobby Burum 23 pass from Brigham (Brigham run), 0:00.
Second Quarter
BC--Burum 30 pass INT return (Juan Casarez kick), 11:04.
BC--Tyreece Smith 55 pass from Brigham (kick failed), 4:10.
BC--Brigham 2 run (Brigham run), :57.7.
Third Quarter
BC--Burum 18 pass from Brigham (Casarez kick), 4:55.
Fourth Quarter
BC--Meshari Walton 3 run (James Brooks kick), 4:29.
BC--Quin King 5 run (Brooks kick),:17.6
| MP/td> | BC | |
| First Downs | 11 | 17 |
| Rushes-Yards | 21-118 | 34-171 |
| Passing Yards | 30 | 189 |
| Comp.-Att.-Int. | 3-7-2 | 7-7-0 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 4-1 | 1-1 |
| Punts-Avg | 3-28.3 | 1-32 |
| Penalties-Yards | 5-30 | 7-45 |
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Mary Persons: Meshari Walton 16-89, Cory Nash 3-30, Tiyun Avery 1-0, Chaz Avery 3-3, Tevin Davis 2-5, Jeffrey Powers 3-5, Drew Coleman 4-(-14), Quin King 4-27. Burke County: Terrell Brigham 15-84, Brandon Brown 8-42, Devonta Osborne 1-6, Naigee Lassiter 6-15, James Cobb 1-4, Montres Kitchens 2-21, Bobby Burum 1-(-1).
PASSING--Mary Persons: Coleman 2-6-2 27, Chris Bowden 1-1-0 3. Burke County: Brigham 7-7-0 189.
RECEIVING--Mary Persons: Marquis Perkins 2-27, Coleman 1-3. Burke County: Tyreece Smith 2-61, Burum 2-41, Devonta Osborne 2-42, Brown 1-45.
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