By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
PREP FOOTBALL: Alcovy falls to Evans, eliminated from playoff contention
Nick_Simmons
Senior quarterback Nick Simmons sparked the Alcovy offense at Evans, albeit in a losing effort, and hours after being medically cleared to play after sustaining an injury to his non-throwing arm against Lakeside two weeks ago. -photo by Sydney Chacon

EVANS, Ga. — The Alcovy Tigers are officially eliminated from postseason contention after falling 28-5 to Evans Friday night on the road in a Region 3-AAAAAA game that the Tigers needed to win to stay in the playoff hunt. 

Instead, Alcovy dropped its 18th straight region game and fell to 2-7 overall and 0-4 in region play ahead of its season finale — and senior night festivities — with Greenbrier (2-7, 2-2) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Sharp Stadium. 

With quarterback Jaelen Campbell out with injury and Nick Simmons held out for part of the first quarter after being medically cleared to play Friday afternoon, it was Javari Smith getting the nod behind center for Alcovy, making him the Tigers’ third signal caller to draw a start this season. 

The offense stalled while Smith was in, and Evans would strike first, scoring a touchdown early to take a 7-0 lead. 

Alcovy’s defense stiffened, and played well for much of the first half, even scoring points by forcing an Evans safety. Adrian Robinson made his return from injury, recording a strip fumble recovery and several tackles.

Simmons would enter the game at quarterback late in the first quarter, providing the Alcovy offense with enough spark to move it down the field for a Jose Ramos field goal that cut Evans’ lead to the halftime score of 7-5. 

“(Nick) came in and played his butt off with good passing and timely runs,” Alcovy coach Chris Edgar said. “He probably completed passes to seven different receivers.”

That field goal would be the last points of the game for Alcovy, however, and Evans would take advantage of the Tigers’ lack of scoring punch by adding a field goal to give it a 10-5 lead at the end of the third quarter. 

The Tigers had a scoring opportunity inside the Evans’ red zone, but the drive was halted by a penalty, forcing an eventual Alcovy punt. After the defense gave up another Evans score, Simmons tossed a pick six a few plays later to close out the game’s scoring. 

“This was probably our best offensive night since Salem,” Edgar said. “But once again, penalties and a pick six doomed us.” 

Evans improved to 3-6 overall and 3-1 in region play, while Alcovy will still be looking for region win No. 1 in the Chris Edgar era Thursday against Greenbrier. 

“We’re gonna try to get one for the seniors,” Edgar said.