Evans shocked Thomson 35-28 to open the regular season on Friday, August 16. It was the first time since 1987 that the Knights claimed victory over the Bulldogs.
The Knights and the Bulldogs do not often face off in the regular season. Thomson is often the dominant team, especially since moving to the 2A. While many may call this an upset win, Coach Barrett Davis says he is only worried about Evans’ football.
“We were not concerned about who we were playing, we were worried about doing our game and executing,” Davis said. “They got a good football team, and it was back and forth and I thought our guys responded well. We did not care if it was Thomson, Burke County, Grovetown or whoever. We just want to protect turf and play our game.”
Evans was ready to play as the defense stopped the Bulldogs on their first drive. On Evans’ first offensive drive, the Knights drove halfway down the field and quarterback EJ Hogan rushed in a one-yard touchdown. Kicker Tyler Wallace converted extra point, making the score 7-0 with 5:15 left in the first quarter.
Thomson would not answer until early in the second quarter after Evans fumbled, and quarterback Zay Brinson rushed for the touchdown. The Bulldogs attempted the two-point conversion after a penalty by the Knights but were halted and were behind 7-6 early in the second quarter.
Wide Receiver BuddyRow Garrer, an addition from Aquinas last season, scored his first touchdown as a Knight with 8:17 left to go in the second quarter, putting Evans ahead 14-6.
Thomson quarterback Markevion Jones ran a 60-yard touchdown with 4:02 left in the half. Thomson converted the two-point conversion and the teams would go into the half all square at 14.
Evans went on a long drive to start the second half, bringing the clock all the way down to the five-minute mark in the third quarter. Jaybraylon Kennedy finished of the drive with a 5-yard rushing touchdown, giving Evans a 21-14.
Unlike Evans, on the second play of their opening second half drive Thomson’s Jaris Sinkfield took off for an 80-yard touchdown run to tie the game 21-21.
The Knights took back the lead with 9:30 in the fourth quarter after a 4-yard pass to Christian Scott, making the score 28-21.
Evans defense stopped Thomson on fourth down and took a 35-21 on a 14-yard rush from Kennedy. Thomson cut the lead to 35-28 after a score with 50 seconds remaining, but it was too late as the Knights took home the victory.
“Our group meshes well together and hang out together and it is good to see some home talent win,” Davis said.
The Knights will have a bye week next week as Thomson hosts North Augusta on Friday, Aug. 23.
“We got to get better next week and clean up stuff in our off week and get ready for Grovetown and then we go into region play with Lakeside,” Davis said. “We got a lot to clean up in all three phases.”
Sportswriter Christopher Rickerson, an Augusta University graduate, has covered area sports for Augusta University’s Bell Ringer, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News newsletter here.
