The Evans Knights are advancing to the Georgia State High School Football Playoffs after defeating South Effingham Mustangs 37-24 on Friday, Nov. 4.
It was homecoming night for Evans as they needed a win to keep their season alive.
The Knights would get down early as the Mustangs rushing attack went the length of the field on their first drive and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by fullback Kadin Ward. South Effingham kicker Tyler Quick converted the extra point to make the score 7-0 with 3:40 left in the first quarter.
Evans answered right back on their first offensive drive with a 16-yard passing touchdown to wide receiver Kenneth Dorsey from quarterback D.J. Walton to tie the game going into the second quarter.
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Knights’ kicker Tyler Wallace gave Evans the lead with a 35-yard field goal, making the score 10-7 in the second quarter.
Walton extended the Knights lead to 17-7 with a two-yard rushing touchdown right to end the first half.
Walton added his third touchdown of the game with a 19 run, making the score 24-7 early in the third quarter.
The Mustangs made the score 24-10 with a field goal to start the fourth quarter, but Dorsey of Evans returned the following kickoff for a 77-yard touchdown.
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The Mustangs continued to fight, getting the score to 37-24 with 3:10 left in the fourth. South Effingham also recovered the onside kick but would fail to take advantage offensively and lost 37-24.
With this win and Lakeside’s loss to Glynn Academy, the Knights now advance to the playoffs for their seventh consecutive time.
Evans opponent and time for the first round of the Georgia 6A High School State Playoffs is to be announced.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
