Early Evergreen lead holds up as Meteors fall in SSC crossover

CALUMET CITY | Even with 14 seconds left and 81 yards of field in front of them, a noisy sideline proved that T.F. North players believed they had a miracle in their playbook Friday night.

But when Evergreen Park linebacker Jake Lordo corralled Meteors quarterback Jeremiah Barnes and sacked him for a loss, time really did run out on the hosts, who dropped a 21-18 decision in the South Suburban Conference crossover contest.

"It was tough," North coach Artie Rogers said of the setback, his team's first of the year. "Everybody's patting you on the back when you're 4-0. I'm very proud we didn't quit, but (our players) knew they didn't play their best."

That was certainly true in the opening half, which ended without a positive net yard for the Meteors (4-1). On a wet field, mistakes were plentiful -- the Mustangs (3-2) scored a second-quarter touchdown on a blocked punt and return, and North receivers let three catchable, big-gain balls slip through their fingers.

Evergreen led 14-0 at halftime, but was flagged for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties at the end of the second period. That meant the third-quarter kickoff came from the Mustangs' 10, and the Meteors needed only two plays to take advantage after starting a series on the visitors' 35.

Elijah Sofowora's 25-yard touchdown grab gave North an emotional lift and the Meteors seized momentum. David Sykes' 5-yard scoring run followed soon after, and North trailed by just two at 14-12.

"It was time to man up," Meteors defensive lineman Jimmy Redmond said in explanation of his club's resurgence. "We needed two more good quarters."

North got its two good quarters, but Evergreen didn't crumble. The Mustangs increased their edge to nine points with a 49-yard touchdown pass, then survived one more score by the Meteors, which resulted from a 35-yard Barnes-to-Calvin Lindsey completion.

The difference came down to conversions -- Evergreen, which had struggled with its kicking game in earlier outings, hit all three extra points on this occasion.

"We've really tried to improve on special teams," Mustangs coach Mike Barry said. "I was tight as a drum (near the end). T.F. North's a good football team and they're going to be in the playoffs."

PREP FOOTBALL

Evergreen Park 21, T.F. North 18

QB Jeremian Barnes threw two TD passes for the Meteors.