Sports
Class 4A Football Playoffs: Dechow, Rockets Run Past Evergreen Park
Jack Dechow's 21-yard touchdown run was the difference in Richmond-Burton's 7-0 victory over Evergreen Park in a Class 4A quarterfinal game on Saturday night.
Breaking It Down: Richmond-Burton’s defense shut down Evergreen Park’s running back tandem of Victor Baker and Jared Jackson in the Rockets’ 7-0 victory over the Mustangs in a Class 4A football quarterfinal matchup on Saturday night.
Evergreen Park never developed much of an offensive rhythm and was held to only 123 total yards of offense. The Mustangs only had seven first downs on the night and never had a drive go for longer than 35 yards.
A fumble by Baker midway through the first quarter led to the only score of the game. Dechow took a run up the middle for 21 yards and the Rockets had the early lead.
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The Mustangs had their best chance to put points on the board early in the second quarter after a bad snap on a Richmond-Burton punt gave Evergreen Park the ball at the Rocket 33. The Mustangs picked up two first downs, but Richmond-Burton held inside its own 5, and kicker Jeremy Esparza’s 20-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.
From then on the Rocket defense was relentless, consistently putting pressure on Evergreen QB Brandon White.
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With a little more than four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Richmond-Burton picked up two first downs and was able to run out the clock.
Patch’s MVP: Jack Dechow, Richmond-Burton. Dechow scored the game’s only touchdown and his tough running allowed the Rockets to control the clock and keep Evergreen Park’s offense on the sideline.
Evergreen Park Stat Pack: White was 7-for-14 passing for 68 yards and an interception. Baker had nine carries for minus-2 yards, while Jackson had three rushing yards on eight carries. Jacquet McClendon had two catches for 34 yards.
Richmond-Burton Stat Pack: Dechow had 111 yards on 21 carries, while Brett Okane chipped in 114 rushing yards on 14 carries. QB Matt Malecki ran for 35 yards.
Quotable I: “Our defense played a great game,” Richmond-Burton coach Patrick Elder said. “We left too many points out there, but our defense picked us up. We moved the ball, and we didn’t finish the drives. Our defense just played an outstanding game.”
Quotable II: “Offensively, we could just never really get anything going,” Evergreen Park coach Dan Hartman said. “Their three interior linemen were just eating up our guys and the linebackers were able to flow to the ball.”
Team Records: Evergreen Park finishes at 8-4, while Richmond-Burton is now 11-1.
What’s Next: Richmond-Burton moves on to the semifinals where it will face Stillman Valley.
Scores of Interest: Stillman Valley 35, Sandwich 6; Rochester 55, Kankakee Bishop McNamara 21; Charleston 28, Mt. Zion 27. For more scores, visit the IHSA score zone.
