Football Preview: Evans Knights

Unselfishness can be a rare quality among high school athletes. Players are trying to do everything they can to get noticed and separate their name from the pack.

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For Evans High School seniors Jamerson Turner and Will Scott, recognition comes second to winning. Victories are achieved by doing the little things right.

One of those little things that often goes unnoticed is a running back's ability -- or more importantly, willingness -- to exert as much effort blocking as he does running the ball.

Head coaches such as Evans' Marty Jackson pick up on blocking as a sign of a player's discipline.

"All of the running backs take pride in blocking for one another," Jackson said.

Turner, Scott and junior William Crow, who Jackson said has stepped up in the preseason, will have the task of replacing standout back Jonathan Finch.

During his senior season, Finch ran for 14 touchdowns and hit 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year.

Turner believes he and Scott complement each other as running backs. Turner is an all-around type of back who can catch the ball out of the backfield, while Scott is a hard-hitting back who also has the speed to get around the corner.

"We're always trying to help each other out," Turner said of each back's willingness to go 100 percent on all blocking assignments.

The backs will line up behind an inexperienced offensive line, with four starters gone from a year ago, and a first-year quarterback, though it's not clear who that will be.

Glenn Cassedy has a slight edge, Jackson said, with fellow senior Michael Gaines right behind him and Eddie Johnson on the radar.

Myles McDavid, who transferred from Grovetown High this summer, is a standout athlete, and Jackson is planning a variety of ways to get the ball in his hands. He also has a chance to start in the secondary for the defense.

Defensively, a strong corps of linebackers will lead the way for Evans. Among them are Austin Jackson, who had seven interceptions last season, fellow senior Austin Lynn, and juniors Thad Greenaway and Jordan Rice.

The defensive line is anchored on the inside by Devante England, who Jackson says has quick feet despite weighing in at "380-plus," and Kyle Henderson, slim by comparison at 280 pounds.

If games get close, Jackson said he has full confidence in place kicker Jamie Galvin, who he expects to vie for all-state honors.