No letdown for Evergreen in win over Hudson’s Bay

From an uncertain start of the season to clinching a playoff berth on Friday, the Evergreen football team has focused on one thing.

Consistency.

That’s why there was no letdown after the program’s biggest win in years one week earlier. The Plainsmen followed their first victory over rival Mountain View since 2007 with a 42-14 thumping of Hudson’s Bay Friday at Kiggins Bowl.

Now Evergreen (5-2, 2-1) is headed to the postseason. Friday’s win along with Kelso’s victory over Mountain View guarantees the Plainsmen one of three postseason berths from the 3A Greater St. Helens League.

There was no letdown after the Plainsmen began this season 1-2. There was no letup after handing Mountain View its first league loss in three-plus seasons.

“We just practiced harder and made sure we pursued everything right,” senior lineman David Grant said. “Everybody has been showing up to practice and working hard. We’re just doing our thing.”

Yes, Evergreen just keeps doing its thing, with one big difference.

“We’re learning how to win now,” said senior quarterback Carter Monda.

Monda threw for 239 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 63 yards and two touchdowns.

Tyvaunte Deloney, Camren Smith and Grant also added rushing touchdowns as the Plainsmen rolled up 524 yards of total offense.

Derek Barnes rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns for Hudson’s Bay (2-6, 0-3).

Key moments

— Evergreen set the tone with big plays early. Monda’s 50-yard pass to Tae Marks set up Deloney’s 4-yard touchdown run, giving Evergreen a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

— Trailing 14-0, Hudson’s Bay needed a big play on defense. They got it when a forced fumble gave the Eagles the ball at Evergreen’s 36. After overcoming 2^ndand 30 due to penalties, Bay eventually scored on Barnes’ 4-yard run.

— Evergreen was the faster team and it showed on the touchdown that put the game away. Camren Smith sped down the sideline on a sweep, going 25 yards for a touchdown that put the Plainsmen ahead 35-14.

Key players

Zyell Griffin – Nearly every time the 6-foot-2 receiver touched the ball, something good happened for Evergreen. He scored the game’s opening touchdown on a 52-yard screen pass. He then set up Evergreen’s third touchdown with a 41-yard sweep to put the Plainsmen inside the 20. He finished with 177 all-purpose yards.

Derek Barnes – The senior workhorse running back had 194 yards on 23 bruising carries up the middle. That’s the most by any Eagle this season. Barnes accounted for all by 24 yards of Hudson’s Bay’s offense.

Quotable

“We’ve grown tremendously. We started out not knowing who was going to be available and eligible. But that’s in check now. That’s the key, just everybody being there.” Carter Monda, Evergreen senior quarterback.

EVERGREEN 42, HUDSON’S BAY 14

Evergreen 7 14 7 14 – 42

Hudson’s Bay 0 7 7 0 – 14

First quarter

E – Zyell Griffin 52 pass from Carter Monda (Ely Del Angel kick)

Second quarter

E – Tyvauntae Deloney 4 run (Del Angel kick)

HB – Derek Barnes 4 run (Christian Baroso kick)

E – Monda 7 run (Del Angel kick)

Third quarter

E – David Grant 7 run (Del Angel kick)

HB – Barnes 11 run (Baroso kick)

Fourth quarter

E – Camren Smith 25 run (Del Angel kick)

E – Monda 27 run (Del Angel kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Evergreen: Carter Monda 5-63, Zyell Griffin 3-58, Tyvauntae Deloney 11-58, Derrick Webb 7-48, David Grant 1-7, Camren Smith 2-43, Kyle Norton 2-11, Tae Marks 1-(-3). Hudson’s Bay: Derek Barnes 23-194, Raven Barnes 10-(-2), Jamarion Hinton 1-(-1).

PASSING – Evergreen: Carter Monda 12-26-0-239. Hudson’s Bay: Raven Barnes 7-20-2-27.

RECEIVING – Evergreen: Zyell Griffin 5-114, Tae Marks 2-49, Camren Smith 3-26, Tyvauntae Deloney 1-40. Hudson’s Bay: Mateo Varona 1-(-3), Jamarion Hinton 1-3, Keith Beard 2-22, Derek Barnes 1-3, Kevin Navarro 1-0, Devontay Moore 1-2.