Derrick Evans, Central take care of Rutland

Derrick Evans threw for 167 yards and ran for a touchdown in the first half as he helped Central roll to a 41-3 win over Rutland in a GHSA Region 2-AAA football game Thursday at the Ed DeFore Sports Complex.

Evans, who helped Central jump out to a 21-3 lead in the first half, ended the game with 255 passing yards and a touchdown pass to Ivory Childers, who had six receptions for 116 yards.

With the win, Central improves to 5-4 (4-3 region) and keeps its slim playoff hopes alive. The Chargers will need to defeat Kendrick next week in Columbus and get outside help -- a win by Kendrick on Friday over Spencer would provide the simplest route -- in order to make the playoffs.

"We wanted to get out to a quick start, and were able to complete some passes and move the ball," Evans said. "For all the seniors, this is probably the last time we will play a football game in Macon, so it was very important to go out with a big win."

Central took less than a minute to get on the board. After Evans hit Childers for a 47-yard gain on the second play of the game, Antonio Sanders Jr. took it in from 5 yards out on the next play.

Rutland threatened to score after Central fumbled a punt and actually had the ball on the Central 5, but the Chargers defense, led by Chandler King and Stephen Parker, kept the Hurricanes from getting on the board.

Central struck again in the first quarter when Kameron Adkins scored from 3 yards out, and the Chargers made it 21 -0 on another 3-yard run by Evans.

Rutland did get on the board in the first half, when Erick Sanchez kicked a 37-yard field goal late in the half.

Things did not get any better for Rutland in the second half. The Hurricanes fumbled the opening kickoff, which led to a Temia Flint 35-yard field goal, and minutes later Central put the game away with Evans finding Childers in the back of the end zone from 20 yards out to make it 31-3. That allowed head coach Jesse Hicks to empty the bench in the final quarter.

Wesley Alexander got into the scoring act in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run, and Flint kicked another 35-yard field goal to end the scoring.

The Central defense was especially dominant in the second half, allowing only 41 yards of offense, yielding 116 for the game.

"I thought we played with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement on both sides of the ball, and it was great to get another win," Hicks said. "I am proud of these kids, and they know all we can do is go out and win the next game and pray that Spencer loses a game. But no matter what happens, it's been a solid year for this football team."

This story was originally published October 29, 2015 at 10:37 PM with the headline "Derrick Evans, Central take care of Rutland ."