The Evans Knights battled to gain their first win of the season by defeating Columbia County rival Lakeside 27-12 at the Panthers Stadium on Friday, Sept. 5.
Both the Knights and Panthers were 0-2 going into Friday’s matchup. This marked the first time both Evans and Lakeside started off the season 0-2.
“It’s that second season that we talk about,” said Evans Football Coach Lee Hutto. “We got our non-region schedule and now we got our region schedule, and we are 1-0, tied for first in the region. We can’t ask for anything better than that.”
Hutto and Lakeside coach Brett Johnson are not only both beginning their first year as head coach at a new school but are family. Hutto spoke highly of his brother-in-law after the game.
“I have known him for a long time. He is not a brother-in-law; he is a brother,” Hutto said. “I love him with all my heart, and he is doing an awesome job and is going to get this thing rolling.”
The first score of the game came from the Knights after the Panthers offense fumbled a handoff, putting the Evans offense in position for a 9-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tripp Furgeison. Evans’ extra point would get blocked as the Knights led 6-0 with 3:25 remaining in the first quarter.
Lakeside tied the game with a 47-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Charlie Bower to wide receiver Issac Sherman, making the score 6-6 midway through the first half.
Bower pushed the Panthers ahead with an 18-yard touchdown run with 2:43 remaining in the first half. Lakeside led 12-6 after a failed two-point conversion.
Evans regained the lead with a touchdown pass by Furgeison with under two minutes remaining in the first half. The Knights converted the extra point to take a 13-12 lead.
After many injuries throughout the game and a few turnovers by the Panthers’ offense, Evans had all the momentum in the second half.
Furgeison ran in his second touchdown of the game, giving the Knights an eight-point lead. Sophomore Justin Taylor helped seal the game defensively with two interceptions late in the second half. The Knights offense ran in one more touchdown to finish the game with the 27-12 win.
“He is a sophomore, and we had to throw him into the fire, and he did really good job,” Hutto said on Taylor’s performance. “Tripp made some good decisions and plays, and I am just really proud our team and our effort.”
Evans (1-2) will host Brunswick (2-1) next Friday, Sept. 12. Lakeside (0-3) will travel to South Effingham (0-2) also next Friday night.
Sportswriter Christopher Rickerson is an Augusta University graduate who has covered area sports for publications including Augusta University‘s Bell Ringer, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News’ free weekly newsletter here.
