Football: Postseason run? Evergreen Park does it through the air

Updated: November 8, 2011 6:26PM

With explosive running backs Victor Baker and Jared Jackson in the backfield, Evergreen Park just did not need to throw the ball much this season.

But all along, first-year coach Dan Hartman knew the time would come.

“We knew all season that we’d be placed in a position where we would have to throw the ball,” Hartman said. “We’ve been working at it in practice, and it’s really been worth it the last couple of weeks.”

While Baker (1,107 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns) and Jackson (766 yards, 9 TDs) have powered the offense, quarterback Brandon White and his receivers played savior roles through the opening rounds of the playoffs.

Evergreen Park (8-3) will host No. 1 seed Richmond-Burton (10-1) at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Class 4A quarterfinals.

It was White who led the team down the field late in the second round to lift the Mustangs to a 19-18 upset win over Alleman. Pinned on their own 1-yard line with five minutes remaining in the fourth, White led the Mustangs on an 88-yard drive that set up Jeremy Esparza’s game-winning 28-yard field goal with eight seconds left.

“Brandon’s a smart kid, and he’s extremely poised,” Hartman said. “He’s a quiet leader, and he knows how to run our offense, getting the ball where it needs to be.”

White missed two full games and part of a third with an injury early in the season, returning in Week 4. The junior has completed 41-of-86 passes for 704 yards and nine touchdowns.

In the win over Alleman, White leaned on sophomore receiver Jacquet McClendon down the stretch. McClendon, who finished with four catches for 129 yards and a touchdown, had two jump-ball receptions on the winning drive, including a 31-yard catch that set up Esparza’s field goal.

“With Jacquet, get it near him and he’ll go get it,” Hartman said. “He’s a very skilled basketball player, and it’s weird. He has had more success with the jump balls than the ones thrown right at him sometimes. He’s doing a great job for us.”

Against Marshall in the first round, White hooked up with tight end Kyle Venhuizen for a 24-yard touchdown that proved to be the game-winner. Venhuizen had another 24-yard TD against Alleman on the identical play-call.

Hoping to continue their postseason magic in the program’s first playoff appearance since 2006, the Mustangs have their work cut out for them. Richmond-Burton has won of nine in a row and is making the team’s fourth straight quarterfinals appearance.

In a 37-19 win over Mendota in the second round, Jack Dechow rushed for 271 yards on 21 carries with three touchdowns. Consider Hartman very aware.

“They are extremely big and extremely physical,” Hartman said. “We know we’ll have to run the ball and stop their run game to be successful.”

Evergreen Park last made the quarterfinal round in 1998 and is hoping to stick around a while longer. For these Mustangs, the underdog role seems to fit nicely.

“We’re the smallest team in our conference, so we play up that every game we’re the underdog,” Hartman said. “The kids have bought into that. There is an excitement in the building, and it’s definitely not a bad thing to be playing at home.”

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