As the clock ticked down on another Prairie Ridge win Saturday, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds to greet the fans who were about to flock to the field.
Many of the Wolves’ players and fans allowed themselves to bask in a 54-35 win against DeKalb in the Class 6A semifinals in Crystal Lake. Samson Evans did not.
“We still have one game,” Evans said as his brother jostled him. “We didn’t do anything yet; we’ve still got to win state.”
The focus that Evans showed after the game was evident from the first play from scrimmage, when he raced 60 yards for a touchdown. The junior finished with 229 yards and four scores, part of No. 3 Prairie Ridge’s 496-yard rushing performance.
The Wolves (13-0) advanced to next Saturday’s state championship in Champaign, where they will face five-time champion Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin (13-0). Prairie Ridge won the 2011 6A title in its only previous trip to state.
DeKalb (10-3) proved a worthier opponent than the Wolves’ first three playoff foes, whom they outscored 163-31. Barbs quarterback Derek Kyler passed for three 50-plus yard touchdowns in the first half for a manageable 30-21 halftime deficit.
Prairie Ridge turned up the defensive pressure and cranked up its running game to an even higher level in the second half, though. Emmanuel Ebirim steamrolled his way to a career-high 190 yards on 27 carries, most of which came after halftime.
“The holes started to open up, they started to bite on Evans more,” Ebirim said.
While Ebirim chipped away on offense, junior linebacker Joe Perhats shined on defense. After allowing Kyler plenty of time to throw in the first half, Perhats sacked the quarterback three times in the third quarter. He also deflected a fourth-down pass in the fourth quarter.
“We came out with more pressure and more blitz packages.” Perhats said. “I wanted to get our defense going and give us energy.”
Twitter @mayatmiller
Player of the game: Samson Evans, Prairie Ridge, 30 carries, 229 yards, 4 TDs
Key performers: Prairie Ridge — Emmanuel Ebirim, Prairie Ridge, 27 carries, 190 yards, 2 TDs; Joe Perhats, 3 sacks. DeKalb — Derek Kyler, 18-22 passing, 376 yards, 5 TDs.