On a night where big holes never developed against Ag. Science, Evergreen Park senior running back Cory Isaac didn’t get frustrated.
He just kept pounding away, knowing his chance would come.
With the Mustangs leading 3-0 in the third quarter, Isaac slammed through a wall of defenders to fight his way into the end zone as the Mustangs pulled away en route to a 17-6 victory on Aug. 21.
“In that case where the inside run game isn’t working, my mentality, if the hole isn’t there, you’ve got to make it yourself,” Isaac said. “You’ve got to force the situation. That’s what I did the whole game.”
Isaac finished with 14 carries for 30 yards and one touchdown.
Junior quarterback Brady Bruen passed for 102 yards and a 28-yard TD to senior wide receiver Tyler Phelps.
Seniors LaRue Hood (interception), Landon Robinson-Gwin (two tackles for loss) and Garret Kazmierowicz (two tackles for loss) led the defense.
Isaac, a 5-10, 175-pounder, is a four-year varsity player and two-year starter.
“I’m very excited for senior year,” Isaac said. “I want to cherish this moment with my teammates, coaches and fans. I want to soak it all in and I want to win. It’s my senior year. Who knows if it’s the last time I put on pads?”
EP is looking to get back to the state playoffs for the first time since 2023, coach Jim Ramazinski’s first season.
Ramazinski loves what Isaac brings to the table.
“Cory has had a tough journey,” Ramazinski said. “He fought through injuries and worked on his body quite a bit in the offseasons. He’s the definition of what you want in a football player. He’s a guy who perseveres, works hard and continues to push himself and his teammates to be better.”
Isaac took on a bigger role as a sophomore with a key injury in front of him.
Then, he had his breakout junior year, setting him up for hopefully a big senior season.
“Last year it was coming in as an upperclassman and a leader,” Isaac said. “This year too, I’ll step up and do whatever the teams need me to do.”
Ag. Science was backed up at its own 20-yard line midway through the third with EP leading 3-0.
Kazmierowicz chased down quarterback Braeden Gillie on a third-and-10 to set up a short punt, giving EP great field position.
“Every play I’m anticipating a sack,” Kazmierowicz said. “That’s a play I’ve been waiting for all offseason. There was a lot to learn from this game. We had some success, but we have a lot to work on. I wouldn’t take it with a lot of pride.”