James Bethune rushed for 154 yards and four touchdowns as Evergreen clinched its first league title since 2007 with a 49-7 win over Heritage in a 3A Greater St. Helens League game McKenzie Stadium.
Bethune rushed for three touchdowns in the first quarter alone as the Plainsmen built a 31-0 lead by halftime.
Josiah Alanis had a thrilling 68-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter. The senior fielded the ball on the Evergreen 32, almost stumbled to the turf, reversed field, spun out of a tackle attempt around the shoulder pads, reversed field again to sprint down the sideline into the end zone.
KJ Clark rushed for 92 yards and one touchdown for Heritage.
EVERGREEN 49, HERITAGE 7
Evergreen 21 10 12 6—49
Heritage 0 0 0 7—7
First quarter
E—James Bethune 32 run (Kevin Jimenez kick)
E—Bethune 1 run (Jimenez kick)
E—Bethune 1 run (Jimenez kick)
Second quarter
E—Rai’sean Chambers 7 run (Jimenez kick)
E—Jimenez 44 FG
Third quarter
E—Josiah Alanis 68 punt return (run failed)
E—Bethune 4 run (run failed)
Fourth quarter
H—KJ Clark 15 run (Sebastian Herrera Cruz kick)
E—Malukai Hodges 44 run (kick blocked)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Evergreen: James Bethune 15-154, Malukai Hodges 4-47, Terrance Saryon 2-14, Rai’sean Chambers 4-11, Damian Perez 2-6, Jayden Baum 3-(-20). Heritage: KJ Clark 16-92, Sharcarion Wrencher 2-3, Isaiah James 1-2, Joshua Mitchell 1-0, Owen Daley 3-(-17).
