By Josh Hall

Herald Sports Editor

EVANSTON – The Evanston High School football team isn’t going to spend the week dwelling on Friday’s 62-7 loss to Star Valley.

The Red Devils got the opportunity to mourn that defeat for 24 hours after the game. Now, they are ready to get back to business. 

“We have to have a short memory on this one,” head coach Pat Fackrell said on Sunday evening. “After a loss like that, you have a week to fix your mistakes and make it better. We have an opportunity to prove we are a better football team, and I look at it that way.”

Friday’s homecoming loss to the two-time defending state champions and the top-ranked team in Class 3A dropped the Red Devils to 1-3 on the year. But Evanston still has plenty of season left to right the ship. 

That is the approach the Red Devils are taking.

“We just need to bounce back and be a strong football team, connect as a family and come back for next week,” Tyus Cornia said after Friday’s game. “It was a tough loss, but hopefully we can come out strong next week.”

Star Valley (3-0) jumped out to a fast start after scoring on its first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead with 2:41 to play in the first quarter. 

The flood gates opened when the Braves put up 34 unanswered points in the first five minutes and 45 seconds in the second quarter to establish a 41-0 cushion with 7:15 remaining in the first half.

Star Valley could cruise from there. 

“I think fundamentally, we really broke down,” Fackrell said after the game. “Star Valley is a really good football team. I think we have a lot to work on. I think as we get to watch our film, I think we’ll really get to see where we’re having our big breakdowns.”

Evanston finished with six first downs in the contest – three of those coming from penalties. The Red Devils converted their second first down of the game with 5:52 to play in the second quarter. Two plays later, Cornia broke free for a 75-yard score.

By that time, Evanston trailed 41-7 with 4:58 to play in the first half. The Red Devils wouldn’t come any closer. 

“There were times we did things really well,” Fackrell said. “We’re capable of playing very well and competing. But we just have to do our jobs every play.”

Star Valley ran the ball 38 times for 363 yards. Josh Dawson had 169 yards rushing on 11 carries. He had three rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores to lead the offensive attack for the Braves, who finished with 16 first downs.

Hunter Jacobson added two rushing touchdowns after going for 128 yards on the ground on 12 carries. Payton Erickson was 6-of-11 through the air for 80 yards and two touchdowns.

“They’re a really good team. … props to the whole team,” Cornia said. “They definitely deserve to be No. 1 in the state.” 

Evanston gained 108 yards rushing on 25 attempts. Cornia ran for 90 yards on eight carries to pace the offense. Seth Lloyd was 6-of-18 for 33 yards through the air, while, Jess Richins went 2-for-3 passing for 10 yards.

Rylie Griggs led Evanston with 10 total tackles, while Blake Overy and Beau Lloyd both finished with nine. Reid Gross made a diving interception after the Red Devils scored in the second quarter, but the Red Devils were unable to keep the momentum. 

“We needed to come out with more fire,” Seth Lloyd said. “We definitely need to go out and practice and see what we need to improve on and get back into it.”

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

SV: 6:01 – Hunter Jacobson 6-yard run; Noah Hutchinson kick. 7-0, Star Valley

SV: 2:41 – Ronnie Kay 4-yard run; Hutchinson kick. 14-0, Star Valley

Second Quarter

SV: 11:10 – Josh Dawson 14-yard run; Hutchinson kick. 21-0 Star Valley

SV: 10:05 – Payton Erickson 9-yard pass to Josh Dawson. Hutchinson kick. 28-0, Star Valley

SV: 8:19 –Hunter Jacobson 53-yard run. Hutchinson kick. 35-0, Star Valley

SV: 7:15 – Payton Erickson to Josh Dawson. Kick failed. 41-0, Star Valley

E: 4:58 – Tyus Cornia 75-yard run. Jess Richins kick. 41, 7 Star Valley

Third Quarter

SV: 6:47 Gavin Patterson 44-yard punt return. Hutchinson kick. Star Valley, 48-7

SV: 4:46 – Josh Dawson 75-yard run. Hutchinson kick. Star Valley, 55-7

Fourth Quarter

SV: 1:16 – Will Johnson 18-yard run. Hutchinson kick. Star Valley, 62-7

FINAL

Star Valley 62, Evanston 7

SCORE BY QUARTER

Evanston – 0 7 0 0 – 7

Star Valley – 14 27 14 7 – 62