Big win sweetens Evans' quest to stellar season

Three times, Greenbrier had traveled to John Pierce Blanchard Stadium on the campus of Evans High School, and three times the Wolfpack left with a win.

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Not this year.

Evans broke the curse with a 28-7 region victory at home over rival Greenbrier. After both teams scored on their opening drives, the Knights took control and posted 21 unanswered points to earn the win.

With one rivalry victory, the memories of a painful last-second loss to the Wolfpack last year seemed to wash away.

"Last year - it was devastating," Evans senior Trey Henderson said. "Greenbrier's a great team, don't get me wrong, but we had this one in our hearts from last year. It was a big game for us, and we had to get it done."

Henderson caught five passes for 72 yards and his last of five carries was good for a 6-yard touchdown.

Evans senior David Smith caught the first two touchdown passes for the Knights, and junior Nigel Charles produced the third score when he picked off Greenbrier's Nick Richards and returned the ball 65 yards to the end zone.

The interception and score came on Greenbrier's first drive on the second half and handed all the momentum to Evans.

"That was big because right before the half, we had a letdown," Evans football coach Marty Jackson said. "I told the defense we needed to make something happen."

Evans senior Kevin Millward completed a 3-yard pass to Henderson to make good on the ensuing two-point conversion, and the Knights led 21-7. Henderson's rushing touchdown with less than a minute left in the game sealed the win.

With a 3-0 record, Evans is off to its best start since 2000. The Knights hold wins over all three Columbia County opponents and a 2-0 region record.

Jackson said the test has only just begun.

"It's a big win. It was one we needed to get because it's the third rung of the ladder," he said. "A county championship was never a goal we listed this year. Our goal was to climb our ladder. When you do that, you get the other things that come along with it."

The next rung on the ladder comes in the form of a region game at Effingham County. The Rebels (2-2, 2-1) own region wins over Richmond Academy and Greenbrier.