Win and you’re in.

The scenario couldn’t have been clearer for Argo in the final game of the regular season Oct. 25 against South Suburban Red rival Evergreen Park in Summit.

The Argonauts needed to beat the Mustangs to clinch their third consecutive state playoff berth and sixth in program history.

Mission accomplished.

Javoris Cotton ran for two touchdowns, and running back Steven Holmes added another as Argo won 20-9 to improve to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the league.

“This was a good night,” Argonauts coach Phillip Rossberg said. “We started off terribly, but we closed pretty strong. We fumbled a punt return and threw two picks in the first quarter.

“We were down 9-7 and it couldn’t have been worse, but we scored one touchdown in the third and one in the fourth. Evergreen Park is always tough. They have some solid players over there.”

Holmes, who scored on a 5-yard run in the first quarter, finished with 163 yards on 27 carries. Cotton (nine carries, 57 yards) scored on runs of 7 yards and 1 yard.

The Argo defense was led by linebacker Maciej Jarosz, who had nine tackles and one sack, and defensive end Jonathan Francisco, who added five tackles and one sack.

“The defense played really well,” Rossberg said. “Maciej and (linebacker) Jakub (Jarosz) just hammered people.

“They’ve both been up with us (on varsity) for three years. They’re twins, and they were smashing people. They were really tough.”

Argo opens the Class 7A playoffs at Quincy (9-0) this weekend.

“It’s a little frustrating not to be 6-3 because that was our goal,” Rossberg said. “But this is a learning experience for our guys. They fought hard to get in, and we’re teaching them life skills. That’s what football is about as far as I’m concerned.

“It was a good effort by the kids. It was a physical game, and they kept fighting and gave us a chance for the playoffs. We locked arms and walked across the field together after the game. That’s a cool tradition for them. They left a legacy here. Three times in a row qualifying for the playoffs, it’s cool for the kids. It’s all about the experience for the kids and all the great memories they can hang on to.”

Evergreen Park finished 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the conference. The Mustangs were led by Caleb Keyser, who caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Rowan Smyth (7 of 21, 56 yards). Cole Nardo hit a 40-yard field goal for Evergreen Park.

Defensively, Arshawn Powell had two interceptions and one tackle-for-loss. Genesis Ward and Omarion Evans forced fumbles for Evergreen Park, while Garret Kazmierowicz added a fumble recovery.

“I thought our defense did OK,” Mustangs coach Jim Ramazinski said. “We forced a lot of turnovers. Argo had a tough running game.

“I was very happy that we were forcing turnovers and that set up good field position. They played pretty well.”