Knights solve option in victory

Evans High School saw the blueprint for how to stop Harlem's option attack the night before.

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ESPN's Thursday night college football offering last week featured the University of Miami shutting down Georgia Tech's multifaceted offense.

"It's assignment football -- D-linemen get pitch man, linebackers get quarterback," Evans defensive lineman Brandon Ketchup said. "Like how Miami played assignment football against Georgia Tech and had that big win, we did the same thing."

The Knights defeated the Bulldogs, 40-0, Friday at Blanchard Stadium. Evans had two weeks to prepare for its county rival after a bye the week before.

Knights coach Marty Jackson said the defense struggled against the option during the first week of preparation for Harlem, but players started to get it the week of the game.

"I was glad we had two weeks to prepare," Jackson said. "It really helped us."

Evans (2-1) lost to Lakeside to open Region 3-AAAA play. The region loss was the Knights' first since 2007. They had an undefeated run to the region title last season.

Coach Marty Jackson's team had a bye Sept. 11, and Harlem's unique scheme forced the Knights to push the loss aside.

"We took it to heart," said Evans defensive lineman Brandon Ketchup. "But we put it behind us. We had a good year last year, but you can't win them all."

Juniors Jamerson Turner and Will Scott combined to rush for five scores the first half.

Harlem (0-3) led at some point during each of its first two games, which were losses to Greenbrier and Glenn Hills. In both games, the Bulldogs ran out of steam.

Evans didn't let the Bulldogs get started Friday. Defensive back Austin Jackson intercepted Harlem on the Bulldogs' first play, setting up the Knights on the Harlem 10.

Scott scored his first touchdown two plays later.

On defense, the Knights focused on their assignments. Harlem quarterback Zach Morris earned praise from Ketchup for the way he runs the Bulldogs' tricky offense.

Morris ripped off several big plays.

His 46-yard run in the second quarter set the Bulldogs up at Evans' 17. The Knights recovered a fumble on the next play.

Harlem drove into Evans territory late in the fourth quarter but stalled at the Knights 15.

Morris finished as the Bulldogs' leading rusher, averaging more than 10 yards per carry. But the Bulldogs were denied the end zone.

Bulldogs coach Jimmie Lewis declined comment Friday.

"Harlem's good with the option -- they're real good with the option," Ketchup said. "But we stayed disciplined and stayed with our assignments and came out with a big victory."

Evans next travels to Glenn Hills.