Marty Jackson had worried prior to the new football season that he'd lost too much from a 2007 defense that helped Evans High School to a playoff berth.
The Knights coach wasn't sure he could replace the likes of Tim Tillman, Mykel Green, and Trey Golston.
But this year's unit might be better, thanks in large part to senior defensive ends Reuben Faloughi and Nigel Charles.
"We were concerned," Jackson said. "But they've done a great job for us so far."
Tillman, Green and Golston were among several Knights defenders to graduate from a team that reached the second round of the Class AAAA playoffs a year ago. Jackson was busy during the spring attending each the player's signing parties.
He may have a full schedule again this school year.
The Knights are off to a 5-0 start with three shutouts. They were allowing just 60 yards a game rushing before playing at Butler on Friday.
"Coaches have us in a good mind set," Faloughi said. "We had a good game plan last year. We stuck with it."
Faloughi and Charles have played a key role. The pair are listed as defensive ends, but Jackson has moved them around. They helped hold Glenn Hills to 128 yards rushing and no points a week after the Spartans big running backs had scored five times and piled up nearly 300 yards.
"We never give up, and that's why our defense is well-known," Charles told The Augusta Chronicle after the Knights' 17-0 win over the Spartans. "We adapt."
Said Faloughi: "We're going to play everybody the same way -- like it's the last game we're going to play."
The Knights defense has taken some of the pressure off its offense, which has started to take off behind quarterback Troy Griffith. Evans has averaged nearly 30 points its last three games.
"Offense is going to be one of those things that takes a while to develop," Faloughi said. "They're coming together. (Griffith), he's doing a great job leading that offense."
Charles has drawn praise from coaches for his work in the weight room during the offseason. He emerged from summer workouts with a chiseled physique and penchant for hitting hard.
"Nigel has really turned his body loose," Jackson said. "He's off to a great start."
When asked what Jackson meant, Faloughi laughed.
"Have you seen him get double-teamed?" he asked. "Nigel's a beast in the weight room. He's even stronger than me. He can do anything."
Faloughi, at 6-feet, 4-inches and 210 pounds, has drawn interest from numerous colleges, including Vanderbilt. He'll have time to worry about his choice after the season. As Jackson has told his team this year, it can have fun at Christmas.
Charles and Faloughi have bought into Jackson's one-play-at-time mantra.
And opposing offenses have found them tough to stop.
"They worked hard," Jackson said. "They're good pass rushers. They give our offense fits (in practice)."
Faloughi said teams can't double team them both.
"It's good to have two ends (like us)," Faloughi said. "One of us is going to get loose."
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