Evans High School football defeated Greenbrier 28-17 at home on Friday, Oct. 25.
The Knights went into the second half down 10-7 before battling back to get an important late season region win.
“Our kids played hard. We had a couple injuries, and other guys stepped up,” said Evans Coach Barrett Davis. “We made plays when we needed to, and I am proud of our guys.”
After a punt to begin the game for Evans, Greenbrier wide receiver Ryan Clayborn took off for a 54-yard touchdown with a short pass from quarterback Brayden Stephens.
The Knights would not answer until midway through the second quarter as Antonio Taylor caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jackson Swint. Kicker Tyler Wallace converted extra point to tie the game 7-7 with 7:27 remaining in the second quarter.
Greenbrier kicker Lavaughn Simon made a 35-yard field goal, putting the Wolfpack ahead 10-7 with no time remaining in the first half.
A great 18-yard rush by Taylor put the Knights in position for the 1-yard touchdown run by Jeremy Howard, giving Evans a 14-10 lead.
Shortly later, Clayborn scored his second touchdown of the night on a 6-yard run, putting the Wolfpack back in front 17-14.
Before the third quarter came to a close, Buddyrow Garrer intercepted a pass, giving the Knights the ball at the Wolfpack 16-yard line.
A short touchdown pass to Christian Scott gave Evans the 21-17 advantage.
Greenbrier drove down inside Evans territory, but Jaybraylon Kennedy made the tackle for a loss on fourth down to return the ball to the Knights.
Davis gave the keys to the offense on fourth and short at midfield, and they converted to put the game almost out of reach. Howard made the win official with his second touchdown of the night on a 19-yard run.
Davis says it was not a tough decision to keep the offense on the field late in the fourth quarter and he was confident the rushing attack could help seal the victory.
“It really was not that tough. We felt our run game was good enough and it was fourth and two and we felt we had a good chance to get that first down and make them use a timeout,” Davis said. “I told them, if they can get the first down, we are going to win this game.”
Evans will stay at home next week to play Bradwell for homecoming and senior night. Lakeside topped Bradwell on Oct. 25. Read about that game here.
Greenbrier will travel to play Glynn Academy on Nov. 1.
“We got to win the next one and then go on the road to Glynn, and we have to win both to get in. It is win or go home every week from now on,” Davis said.
Christopher Rickerson, an Augusta University graduate, has covered area sports for Augusta University, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News newsletter here.
