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I don't get the headline. The score has nothing to do with region standings. If Lakeside beats Josey they are the region champions because they handily beat Evans. But Evans also has a tough game against an improved ARC. Good luck to both teams.
After two quarters Friday, Evans players and coaches might have had more interested in a game other than their own.
The Knights dusted Cross Creek, 49-18, behind a strong first half, then awaited the result of Richmond Academy-Hephzibah.
The Musketeers' victory means Evans no longer has a shot at a coin-flipped Region 3-AAAA title.
If Lakeside beats Josey next week, the Panthers are region champions and the Knights would need a victory at Richmond Academy for the No. 2 seed and home playoff game.
"I'm pretty sure it's going to be a game that comes down to the end," Evans receiver Tevin Nelson said. "At the same time, we're going to be prepared for it."
Evans (8-1, 7-1) had its highest point total of the season after two quarters and the only remaining drama was whether the senior band members could all be introduced during the 20 minutes allotted for halftime.
"Everything was going right," Nelson said. "We had a goal. We knew what we had to do."
Among the bizarre happenings of the first half:
Each team scored during the first quarter on consecutive runs totaling 139 yards, Evans punter Joe Rizner pinned a kick inside the 1 and the Razorbacks band was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Evans' 17 seniors were recognized before the game. Among them were quarterback Troy Griffith, who completed his first five passes and tossed two first-half touchdowns to senior teammate Nelson.
"We made big plays and we capitalized on them," senior offensive lineman John Iarocci said. "We weren't a second-half team like we had been."
The Knights have won the past seven and scored at least 28 points in each of their eight victories.
Friday started with a score on the Knights' first play from scrimmage, "27 zone," a quick toss to Jonathan Finch that went for 49 yards.
"We had everyone blocked," Iarocci said. "It was good."
Cross Creek coach David Tate, whose team pulled off an improbable victory over Richmond Academy the week before, was perplexed by the Knights' field position.
Six of Evans' touchdown drives started in Razorbacks territory.
"We just can't give up the short field," said Tate, whose team fell to 3-6. "Especially when they mix it up like they do."
Cross Creek's main highlight came on its first play from scrimmage, a 90-yard touchdown run by Devonte Young.
Reach Stephen Fastenau at (706) 863-6165, ext. 116 or stephen.fastenau@augustachronicle.com.
EVANS 49, CROSS CREEK 18
PLAY OF THE GAME: There were plenty for the Knights. Among the most impressive was Joe Rizner's 46-yard punt for Evans as the first quarter expired. The boot turned sideways and went out-of-bounds at Cross Creek's 1-foot line.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Evans left tackle John Iarocci opened some holes for a pair of touchdown runs, blocked an extra point and recovered a fumble on senior night.
WHY EVANS WON: The Knights didn't turn the ball over, executed almost flawlessly on offense and forced four turnovers -- a pretty good recipe.
WHY CROSS CREEK LOST: The Razorbacks defense could not stop the Knights. Cross Creek quarterback Bryson Crouch threw four first-half interceptions.
NEXT: Evans at Richmond Academy, Friday, 7:30 p.m. Cross Creek at Hephzibah, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
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Comments
I don't get the headline. The score has nothing to do with region standings. If Lakeside beats Josey they are the region champions because they handily beat Evans. But Evans also has a tough game against an improved ARC. Good luck to both teams.
It's the Chronicle - There isn't an article with a catchy headline explaining that Lakeside is sitting on top of the region. And next Saturday you can expect a big headline about how Evans took second place. Stephen Fastenau can't be more blatent in his biased fashioned of journalism, if that's what you can even call it.
I don't want this to sound like I'm slamming Evans, but what about Matt Middleton's story on Oct 22 before the Hephzibah-Evans game where he said Evans could be region Champs if they won? I mean he didn't even say co-champs. Lakeside shutout Evans in case we forget. Anyway, after next week, if Lakeside wins, everyone will finally know they are the Region Champions no matter what Evans does. An amazing story for Lakeside that the paper hasn't picked up on. Jody Grooms is a shoo-in for the area coach of the year.
This is starting to intrigue me. Does it even carry down to the middle school level? Stephen Fastenau wrote about Evans Middle beating Columbia Middle in what he said "was between what many considered the two best teams this season." Nevermind that Lakeside had the same undefeated record as Evans and the schools had played to a tie. The article went on to quote the Evans coach and "several others" who advocated another game for the championship as if Evans would beat Lakeside the next time. The BOE is not about to allow such a game for middle school kids, but it sounded good for Evans making like they were sure they would win. I don't get the anti-Lakeside bias. That's one case where the term Co-Champions should have been used.
WANTED:
COACHING STAFF.
Can you develop players without bias?
Can you bring discipline and respect to high school sports?
Can you bring a winning attitude and pride to our school?
Cross Creek needs you!
CROSS CR33K MOM! I think the first step in bringing a winning attitude and pride to our school starts with the parents. There is such a LACK of parental support. I support our school 100% in almost every sport, and I don't even have a child that plays sports. I agree that the coaches are unfair, and that there is unused talent on the sidelines, but that is at every school. Not that its right, but more parental involvement would help. Got to the team meetings talk to the coaches, put up a stance. This is OUR school and we need to take a stance.
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