There was no looking ahead for Evans football Friday.
At least that's what Knights coach Marty Jackson hoped for during the week.
"I don't like to look past anybody," he said. "I've been around long enough, you can let one sneak up on you."
Evans players might have been thinking about their next opponent, but they took care of business Friday to earn a 34-0 home victory over Josey.
The win sets up a showdown at Hephzibah next week, a game that will be key for the Knights to keep their hopes alive for a No. 2 seed in Region 3-AAAA and a home playoff berth.
Evans' Darnell Jackson said the Knights had already begun some preparation for Hephzibah and had watched film on the Rebels during the past week.
"We were focused on this one," Jackson said. "But I think more than anything, we were working hard for this one to prepare for the next one, for Hephzibah."
Evans (6-1, 5-1 Region 3-AAAA) won its fifth consecutive region game since losing to Lakeside in Week 2. Next week's game should be pivotal, with a final test coming at Richmond Academy to end the season.
The Knights attempted only three passes, but got three rushing touchdowns from Jonathan Finch and another on a Troy Griffith sneak.
Josey fell to 1-6 after having beaten Butler the week before. But there was no magic formula for the Eagles on the road Friday.
"The practice this week was very intense -- everybody was working hard to try to put forward their best," Eagles running back Demarquies Dunn said. "It wasn't enough."
After allowing a season-high 26 points to Westside the week before, Evans locked down Josey's offense. The Eagles' running game was grounded from the start, and the Knights intercepted quarterback Markquis Burton three times in the first half.
Knights defensive back Austin Jackson picked off a Burton third-down pass on the Eagles' first drive. Sean Foote returned another Knights' interception 36 yards late in the second quarter to set up Evans' first score, a 29-yard run by Finch. Glenn Cassedy also intercepted a pass.
Evans held Josey to 50 yards total offense the first two quarters.
"Overall, I think the whole defense was just quicker today," Jackson said. "We had a good night."
Reach Stephen Fastenau at (706) 863-6165, ext. 116 or stephen.fastenau@augustachronicle.com.
EVANS 34, JOSEY 0
PLAY OF THE GAME: Sean Foote 's 36-yard interception return late in the second quarter set up the Knights' first touchdown.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Austin Jackson grabbed two of the Knights' four interceptions.
WHY EVANS WON: The Knights kept the game plan simple, did not turn the ball over and rolled to an expected victory.
WHY JOSEY LOST: The Eagles offense was overmatched from the start, and failed to test the Knights' secondary after Evans shut down the run.
NEXT: Josey at Glenn Hills, Friday, 7:30 p.m. Evans at Hephzibah, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
icon.
