Greenbrier gets big nights from Bjorkman, Jefferson to top Evans 42-35
By Cooper Brady | Sports writer
The Greenbrier Wolfpack took down the Evans Knights for the first time in 15 years in a high by a 42-35 score at Evans High School on Friday night, Aug. 28.
Key performances for the winning team came from running backs Brennen Bjorkman, who tallied 181 yards and five touchdowns on 22 carries, and Joshua Jefferson (134 carries and a TD on 17 carries). Meanwhile, Brycen Gault made noise for the Knights, with 191 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. This came on the heels of a 246-yard performance in a first-week win over Harlem.
Coach Sean Tiernan of Greenbrier was pleased with how well his offense executed in this one.
“With the exception of our one drive we went three and out, we made it really fun,” Tiernan said. “I’m super proud of the way we executed on offense and especially at quarterback.”
Calvin Pollard started under center for the Wolfpack (1-1) and totaled 241 air yards across 10 completions and 15 attempts. Grant Deal of the Knights completed 11-of-14 attempts for 164 yards and a touchdown.
“Pollard is technically our backup, and he worked his butt off and did a great job,” said Tiernan.
The Wolfpack dominated early, taking the opening possession from the 20 and scoring in two massive plays. The first was a 39-yard pass from Pollard to sophomore receiver Deion Mitchell, immediately followed by a 49-yard run from Bjorkman. In 61 short seconds, Greenbrier had found the end zone.
The Knights (1-1) managed a seven-play touchdown drive in response, highlighted by a beautiful 37-yard pass from Deal to Justin Taylor.
Greenbrier was undeterred, however, driving another 80 yards into Evans’ end off of a perfect pass from Pollard to Bentley Hessing for 88 yards, with Bjorkman handling goal line duties from the 2-yard line to make it 14-7.
A poor kickoff from Greenbrier, which went out of bounds at the 50, along with a penalty, put Evans at its 48, but a botched snap and good defense from the Wolfpack resulted in the Knights having to punt.
Greenbrier capitalized, putting together a grindy six-minute drive from their own three, to extend the score to 21-7. It was highlighted by a 34-yard third down pass by Pollard and split rushing duties between Bjorkman and Jefferson. It took us into the second quarter, where the Knights proved resilient, as Gault made his presence known with a 21-yard rush to kick off their fourth possession and then a few shorter gains to reestablish his presence.
At roughly four and a half minutes left in the quarter, Anton Maldonado capped this drive off with a 29-yard rushing touchdown. It was now 21-14 in favor of Greenbrier, and a good defensive effort from both teams saw the quarter end without another score.
With the wind (seemingly) at their backs, the Knights received the second half kickoff, only to botch the snap on their third play of the drive and turn the ball over to the Wolfpack at their own 17. A false start moved Greenbrier back to the 22, but Bjorkman refused to slow down and took it all the way to the house.
Needing to win the momentum back yet again, Deal found Christian Scott for a huge 77-yard completion on a third down at their own 22. Gault sealed the deal with a pair of 10- and 1-yard runs to close the gap to 28-21.
Jefferson would flex his prowess on the Wolfpack’s next drive, taking them from their 37 to the opposing one before Bjorkman broke off a huge touchdown run that was called back on a holding penalty. Then a bad snap on a field goal allowed Evans to take over and put together a drive, largely on the ground. That march took the Knights the length of the field and 15 seconds in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
The Wolfpack exhibited a willingness to test the air, a rarity in this second half, and completed a 27-yard pass to start their next drive. Slowly pushing through midfield, a massive 41-yard run from Jefferson on fourth-and-one resulted in Greenbrier regaining the lead.
Evans fired back with Gault showing off his ability with a 65-yard run down to the 1-yard-line. Another fumbled snap cost the Knights seven yards, but then Gault stuffed the ball home on the next play.
Looking to break the deadlock yet again with just over eight minutes left, the Wolfpack ran the ball 12 straight plays. It worked, despite a cramping Bjorkman, as he snapped off a 35-yard run and three straight carries inside the five to score his fifth touchdown of the night.
Evans attempted to make something happen with two minutes left but couldn’t find any late-game magic.
“They controlled the line of scrimmage well and played physical,” said Evans coach Lee Hutto. “Both of their backs had tremendous days, and they got us off-balance early with some big shots in the passing game.”
In an Columbia County rivalry week ahead, Evans takes on Lakeside for the Knights’ first road game next Friday night (Sept. 4), while Greenbrier heads to Harlem.
(Note: A version of this story appeared in Augusta Good News.)
Contact Cooper Brady at coobrady@augusta.edu.
Greenbrier’s Gavin Baxley (67) and Wyatt Jones celebrate the Wolfpack’s 42-35 victory over rival Evans. At the top of the page, Brennen Bjorkman had a dominant night for Greenbrier with 181 yards rushing and five touchdowns. (photos by Brelynn Crewe/the Bell Ringer)
The Wolfpack’s Joshua Jefferson (25) also had a big night, rushing for 134 yards and a TD in Greenbrier’s first win of the season. (photo by Brelynn Crewe/the Bell Ringer)
