Football: Jeremy Esparza’s late field goal lifts Evergreen Park

Updated: November 4, 2011 10:07PM

Evergreen Park kicker Jeremy Esparza guessed he made that specific kick anywhere between 40 and 50 times a day in practice.

But for the junior, none was as big or pressure-packed as the 28-yard field goal he drilled Friday night. Capping an 88-yard drive for the Mustangs, Esparza’s kick split the uprights with eight seconds to go and lifted host Evergreen Park to the 19-18 upset win over fourth-seeded Alleman in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.

“I wasn’t thinking anything at all, just focusing on zoning everything out,” Esparza said. “I just wanted to get the ball through. It feels great.”

Chris Cheatham picked off Alleman quarterback John Tracey with no time left on the clock to seal the win.

Evergreen Park (8-3) looked to be in trouble in the fourth, trailing 18-16. The Mustangs defense had stopped the Alleman run game, but a punt pinned Evergreen at its own 1-yard line with 5:08 on the clock.

No worries for quarterback Brandon White.

“Just get the ball away from the end zone,” White said. “Just get down the field and get that score.”

With five minutes to go, White led his team downfield, getting some much-needed help from receiver Jacquet McClendon who caught two passes (one from running back Victor Baker) for 56 yards.

McClendon’s catch for 31 yards on a third-and-6 got Evergreen to the 11-yard line to set up Esparza’s game-winner.

“Jacquet can catch anything,” White said. “He’s got hops, and he can go up and get it.”

McClendon finished with four catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. He had a 36-yard jump-ball reception in the third quarter. White was 7-for-14 passing for 160 yards and two touchdowns, the other a 24-yard strike to Kyle Venhuizen in the first quarter.

Baker finished with 60 rushing yards on 16 carries for Evergreen Park.

“We’re thinking we can take it all, make it to the championship,” White said.

Max Mendoza finished with 26 rushes for 94 yards for Alleman (9-2). Tracey added 76 rushing yards and a score, a 2-yard keeper.

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