3A football: Evergreen falls to Kamiakin, 56-16

KENNEWICK – Arm in arm, 12 seniors on the Evergreen football team walked from midfield.

Cheerleaders and family lined the path. Waiting in the end zone were their teammates.

Though the Lampson Stadium scoreboard read 56-16 in favor of Kamiakin on Saturday, there was no shame in that walk.

It was one final salute to a group that led Evergreen to the postseason for the first time since 2007.

Despite a 2-8 overall record, which included three losses by less than 10 points, the Plainsmen got the 3A Greater St. Helens League wins when they needed to reach Saturday’s preliminary round of the state playoffs.

“The soul of this team is their attitude and effort,” coach Terry Hyde said. “They knew in a lot of ways they were outmanned. But they battled all year long. I cannot be any prouder of these guys.”

Saturday, Evergreen ran into a team in Kamiakin (8-2) that had too much firepower. The Kennewick school scored five touchdowns on plays 30 yards or longer.

Yet, as was often the case this season, Evergreen didn’t quit.

“It’s a brotherhood. I mean, that’s why I’m crying,” senior quarterback Payton Monda said. “A lot of teams, when you’re down by 40 you quit. But we still fought our hardest, ran our routes as hard as we could.”

Saturday’s game started well enough for Evergreen. On the first play from scrimmage, Monda found Tre Ratcliff behind the Kamiakin defense for a 79-yard touchdown pass.

Kamiakin needed just four plays to tie the game on a 47-yard touchdown pass. The Braves then took the lead on their second drive.

But Evergreen hung close. Jevauhn Hampton had 111 of his 121 rushing yards in the first half as Evergreen put together a few sustained drives.

Kamiakin finally took control by scoring touchdowns of 36 and 33 yards late in the first half. That gave the Braves a 35-10 lead at halftime.

Despite the season-ending loss, Monda sees reason for optimism at Evergreen.

“Our juniors and sophomores are hungry,” he said. “They’ll come back strong next year, I promise.”

KAMIAKIN 56, EVERGREEN 16

Evergreen     7          3          6          0          –          16

Kamiakin       14       21       21       0          –          56

First quarter

E – Tre Ratcliff 79 pass from Payton Monda (Killian Burris kick)

K – Champ Grayson 47 pass from Zach Borisch (Garrett Paxton kick)

K – Jethro Questad 13 run (Paxton kick)

Second quarter

K – Grayson 42 pass from Borisch (Paxton kick)

E – Burris 27 FG

K – Isaiah Brimmer 36 pass from Borisch (Paxton kick)

K – Darreon Moore 33 pass from Borisch (Paxton kick)

Third quarter

K – Benson Smith 6 pass from Borisch (Paxton kick)

E – Dustin Nettles 13 pass from Monda (kick blocked)

K – Alex Bayuk 2 run (Paxton kick)

K –Darreon Moore 69 pass from Borisch (Paxton kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Evergreen:  Jevauhn Hampton20-121; Tre Ratcliff 5-15, Dustin Nettles 3-19, Payton Monda 3-minus-17, Sheaven Rhodes 1-0.

PASSING – Evergreen: Payton Monda 9-24-1-149.

RECEIVING – Evergreen: Tre Ratcliff 2-82, Dustin Nettles 4-20, Luke Allen 1-0, Sheaven Rhodes 1-20, Jevauhn Hampton 1-25.