Scoring four touchdowns had Davonte Evans smiling after Argo’s 32-29 win at Shepard. Photo by Steve Metsch

Scoring four touchdowns had Davonte Evans smiling after Argo’s 32-29 win at Shepard. Photo by Steve Metsch

Davonte Evans’ 4 TDs put Argo on brink of first playoff berth since 2013

By Steve Metsch
Correspondent

Despite scoring four touchdowns to help Argo to its biggest win in seven seasons, Davonte Evans did not fly home after the game.

“He’s riding the bus. He’s not flying” Argonauts interim coach Jason Korkosz said. “He is Superman, though.

“He does it all. He puts the team on his back when he has to. He’s done that his whole career.”

Evans’ four scores including three in just over four minutes during the third quarter of a 32-29 win over Shepard on Oct. 14 in Palos Heights.

The win puts the Argonauts (5-3 overall, 2-3 South Suburban Red) on the brink of only the fourth playoff berth in program history. The five victories make them playoff eligible, and while they will likely have enough opponents’ wins to qualify, they can clinch a spot by defeating Evergreen Park (6-2, 4-1) in the final week of the regular season.

“A huge win for the program,” Korkosz said of the victory over Shepard.

Argo last qualified for the postseason in 2013, and in the seven full seasons since then has endured two winless seasons and two others in which they won one game.

The Astros fell to 2-6, 1-4.

It was a huge night for the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Evans, a senior in his third varsity season, including the truncated spring 2021 campaign.

Argo trailed 7-0 after a first half played in a steady downpour. It was still raining in the third quarter when Evans took over.

Football Argo Shepard Tyson scaled

Shepard running back Elijah Tyson trues to escape the grasp of Argo’s Maciej Jarosz. Photo by Steve Metsch

Opening the second half, Argo had the ball at its own 13-yard line when Evans broke free to score on an 87-yard run. That cut the Astros’ lead to 7-6 as the two-point conversion failed.

“I just followed behind my blockers and took it to the house,” Evans said.

On the next series, sophomore wide receiver Cameron Tryon bobbled a thrown ball. Evans grabbed it and returned 42 yards for a touchdown with 7:45 left in the third quarter for a 12-7 lead.

Argo senior Johnathan Walker then recovered the ensuing onsides kicks.

It was Evans again, this time around the right end for his third touchdown and an 18-7 lead with 5:57 left in the third.

But the Astros roared back, eventually taking a 21-18 lead on 30-yard and 25-yard scoring runs by senior running back Xavier Rogers, the second with 10:48 to play in the game.

Evans’ fourth score, this one from 30 yards out, gave the Argonauts a 25-21 lead with 6:57 to play.

“I just kept working,” Evans said. “I said, ‘hand me the ball.’ I’m going to make it happen every time.”

It looked like the Argonauts had sealed the win when Walker strolled in from 9 yards out for a 32-21 lead with 2:57 to play, but Shepard’s Khamarion Wade caught a 6-yard TD pass from sophomore quarterback James Lascola with 1:12 left. The two-point conversion cut the lead to 32-29.

Argo senior John Robinson iced the game by fielding the onsides kick.

“I put Robinson there, specifically,” Korkosz said. “We had a feeling they were going to kick that way because they had their better players on that side.”

Shepard coach John Rone said Evans is probably the best player in the South Suburban Red.

“Crazy game. Crazy season,” said Rone, whose Astros failed to make the playoffs for the first time in his four seasons at the helm. “I give them credit.”

Korkosz, the Argonauts’ special teams/running backs coach, was filling the place of head coach Phil Rossberg, who served a one-game suspension.

Local News

Father Bill Killeen

Retired St. Patricia pastor cleared of sexual abuse allegation

The Archdiocese of Chicago has cleared retired Father William Killeen of allegations of sexual abuse following an investigation. Father Killeen, who served as an associate pastor at St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills from 1982 to 1989, had been accused of abusing a minor over 40 years ago during his time at the parish. The…

dvn 11-8-24 la grange park district

LaGrange park district improvements advance with voter support

Voters approved a $13.86 million referendum for the Park District of La Grange on Tuesday, with 74 percent voting in favor. With 10 of 12 precincts reporting, 5,340 yes votes were recorded, compared to 1,898 no votes, according to the Cook County Clerk’s website. “We’re very excited,” said Jenny Bechtold, executive director of the Park…

A blue ribbon flutters lightly on a tree outside West Lawn’s Hubbard HS in honor of slain police officer Enrique Martinez, a neighborhood graduate. The ribbon, a symbol of fallen police officers who died serving their community can sometimes be seen with a black background representing mourning. The color blue represents the “thin blue line” officers are sworn to defend, according to memorialribbon.org.

Slain West Lawn CPD Officer Martinez shooting suspect charged

A 23-year-old man has been charged with the shooting death of Officer Enrique Martinez, a Hubbard High School graduate and West Lawn resident, who was killed in the line of duty on Chicago’s South Side. The fatal encounter has reignited citywide concerns over rising gun violence and its toll on both residents and law enforcement.…

Oak Lawn Park District hosted its annual Howl-O-Ween on Oct. 19 at the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge, located at 109th Street and Laramie Avenue in Oak Lawn. (Supplied photos)

Oak Lawn’s Howl-O-Ween Brings Thrills, Chills, and Family Fun

On a crisp October evening, the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge transformed into a magical, spooky wonderland as families gathered for Oak Lawn’s annual Howl-O-Ween celebration. Laughter mingled with the rustle of leaves, while costumed children raced from one activity station to the next, collecting treats and creating memories under the twilight sky. The Oak Lawn Park…

Jill Stein’s suburban campaign stop in Orland Park. (Photos by Julius Allen)

Presidential candidate Jill Stein advocates for People Power at Green Party Forum in Orland Park

Nonprofit organizations Al Hub and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) co-hosted a Q&A forum on Wednesday, Oct. 16, featuring Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein. Held at an office building in Orland Park, located at 16101 S. 108th Avenue, the event showcased the Green Party’s focus on community-driven activism, branding itself as a…

The Oak Lawn girls volleyball team won the SSC Red title for the second year in a row. (Photo courtesy of Oak Lawn Community High School)

Oak Lawn girls volleyball repeats at SSC Red champs

The Oak Lawn Community High School girls volleyball team opened the season steamrolling the competition. In fact, they repeated as champions at the Fenton Bison Blast-off Tournament, and didn’t even lose a single set before heading into their own Spartan Classic in late September. They finished fourth there, but they learned how to react when…

Wolniak Funeral Home has erected a huge Day of the Dead altar. (Photo by Kathy Headley)

Wolniak Funeral Home celebrates Day of the Dead

The 102-year-old Wolniak Funeral Home has served generations of families throughout the years. Sitting on the southwest corner of 57th and Pulaski, the Polish Funeral Home is reaching out with what they are calling a “legacy of love to the community.” Respecting the traditions and heritage of the Hispanic members of the community, the folks…

Burbank Police Chief Jack Garcia discusses most recent arrest and ticket numbers and the support for the 12-hour schedule change at the Oct. 23 meeting. (Photo by Sean Kirchman)

Burbank police adopt a 12-hour work schedule

Burbank police will make permanent a trial program that moved them from working eight-hour tours to now working 12-hour shifts. The city approved the work schedule at its Oct. 23 city council meeting. The city confirmed the 12-hour work schedule memorandum of understanding with the Illinois Council of Police. This means that Burbank police officers,…

Karen Wasko

Drunken driver sentenced to 11 years in Summit trustee’s fatal crash

The driver responsible for the St. Patrick’s Day 2023 crash that killed former Summit village trustee Karen Wasko has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. Judge John “Terry” Gallagher handed down the sentence to Joel Velazco Jr., 23, during a hearing Thursday in Room 110 of the Bridgeview Courthouse. Wasko’s daughters, Nicole and Kelly,…

Damian Macias

Bridgeview man faces felony charges in carjacking, armed robbery spree

Two men were charged Thursday with multiple felonies after a series of armed robberies and a carjacking in Chicago, authorities said. James Robinson, 21, of the 100 block of East 119th Street in Chicago, and Damian Macias, 21, of the 8800 block of South Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, were arrested by the Citywide Vehicular Hijacking…

Neighbors

Federal judge strikes down Illinois assault weapons ban, setting up likely appeal

Federal judge strikes down Illinois assault weapons ban, setting up likely appeal

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – A federal judge in East St. Louis on Friday struck down Illinois’ assault weapons ban on the grounds that it violates the Second and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution and issued an order barring the state from enforcing it. That order, however, was stayed for 30 days, giving the…

Illinois school Superintendent Tony Sanders discusses strategy to boost math scores

Illinois school Superintendent Tony Sanders discusses strategy to boost math scores

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education recently released the 2024 School Report Card, showing a record-high proficiency rate for students in grades 3-8 in English language arts while math scores still have not fully recovered from the low point they hit during the pandemic. In response, ISBE has announced plans…

Jury sees relentless ComEd job placement requests from Madigan co-defendant

Jury sees relentless ComEd job placement requests from Madigan co-defendant

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Had they been any other job applicants, electric utility Commonwealth Edison likely wouldn’t have given a second look to candidates who made “politically inappropriate” comments during an interview, failed basic screening tests or didn’t even show up to take those tests – twice. Some of the company’s top executives wouldn’t…

Wiretaps show McClain arranging checks for Madigan loyalist fired after #MeToo allegations

Wiretaps show McClain arranging checks for Madigan loyalist fired after #MeToo allegations

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – It had been a tumultuous winter and spring for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as he was forced to fire or distance himself from several top allies, three of whom were accused of sexual harassment at the height of the #MeToo movement. But after the seismic events of June 6,…

Utility assistance applications open for low-income Illinoisans

Utility assistance applications open for low-income Illinoisans

Capitol News Illinois The state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is accepting applications for all households beginning Friday, Nov. 1. The program offers financial assistance for utility bills to low-income families. Other discounts are also available, even if someone is not enrolled in LIHEAP. Applications opened on Oct. 1 for adults age 60 and…

Statewide effort planned to boost student math scores

Statewide effort planned to boost student math scores

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois education officials plan to launch a statewide initiative over the next several months aimed at boosting student performance in math. State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders made that announcement during a recent media briefing to unveil the most recent school report card. That annual report shows how individual schools,…

Pritzker’s budget office projects $3.2B deficit in early look at upcoming fiscal year

Pritzker’s budget office projects $3.2B deficit in early look at upcoming fiscal year

Capitol News Illinois The first extensive public look at next year’s state finances contains a warning to lawmakers from the governor’s office: “The ability to fund new programs will be severely limited” next fiscal year. That comes from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, which projected a potential budget shortfall of $3.2 billion for…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Jury sees more evidence surrounding payments to Madigan campaign worker ousted for sexual harassment

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – On the eve of his retirement announcement in late 2016, longtime Statehouse lobbyist Mike McClain wrote letters to longtime colleagues, expressing his appreciation for them. In one letter – shown to four federal juries in the last two years – McClain effusively praised his close friend, then-Illinois House Speaker Michael…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

It’s Election Day. Officials ask for patience in waiting on the results.

Capitol News Illinois By Matt Vasilogambros,Stateline It’s Election Day in America. Voters are heading to the polls in one of the most consequential elections in American history. In a politically polarized country, potential delays in reporting results might further fuel conspiracy theories that have spread widely. Across the country, more than 77 million voters already…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

‘They were being paid as a favor to Mike Madigan’: Feds’ star witness takes stand

Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – As chief lobbyist for electric utility Commonwealth Edison, Fidel Marquez had an expansive role that put him in charge of “approximately 130, 135 people.” But in June 2013, more than a year into that job, Marquez received an email about someone he was ostensibly supposed to be overseeing – but…