Revenge attempts fall flat
The Lakeside High School football team was looking for revenge in Friday night's game at Evans High School, but two former Panthers had the last laugh after the Knights' 28-14 victory.
It sounded something like this: "Ho, Ho, Ho."
Evans' Ki-Chang Ho gets past Lakeside's BB Brandenberg on a second-quarter drive in Friday's game.
Evans tailback Kai-Cheng Ho rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Steven Rogers hauled in seven receptions, including a 12-yard touchdown pass, and added a 15-yard score on a reverse.
"We played well as a team tonight," Rogers said. "The line did a good job, and Cheng ran the ball great."
At this time last year, Ho and Rogers were at Lakeside, but both transferred to Evans over the summer.
"I was excited to play against them," Ho said. "It was amazing. Steven and I did a pretty good job."
During the pre-game buildup, Ho and Rogers were in the spotlight; after the kickoff Friday night, Rogers became a primary target for the Panthers.
"I knew they would try to do stuff to get my temper up," Rogers said.
Lakeside's quest for vengeance backfired.
Late in the first half, Rogers caught a pass and was going out of bounds, but was pounded by J.P. Dixon and Phillip Choat - officials called a personal foul, and then tacked on another 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The penalties gave Evans a first down on the Lakeside 12. On the next play, Rogers scored on a reverse to give the Knights a 28-14 lead at the half.
Lakeside also shot itself in the foot with a fourth-quarter blunder.
With 2:55 remaining, Evans faced a third and seven from its own 22. Rogers attempted another reverse, and the Panthers stuffed him for no gain, but Dixon Revell became overzealous and was flagged for a late hit.
So, instead of Lakeside getting the ball back with enough time to possibly mount a rally, Evans got a first down and ate another two minutes off the clock.
"My boy said he didn't hear the whistle," Lakeside coach Randy Hill said of the penalty. "All night it was just an aggressive game. Why a late hit was called in that instance, I don't know. That was a turning point. If we hold them, go in and score, then make an onside kick and get the ball back, we're in position to win the game."