Evans Not Enough for Birmingham

Birmingham High had the big player.

But Banning had the bigger plays.

The Pilots exploded for 42 points in the second half and downed Birmingham, 63-38, in a first-round game of the City Section 4-A Division playoffs Friday night at Birmingham.

Emmanuel Evans rushed for 340 yards and four touchdowns in 31 carries for the Braves, but Banning’s long-distance capability--four touchdowns from 55 yards and over--was too much.

Banning appeared to be in trouble, with 1,000-yard rusher Tyran Slaughter academically ineligible.

But sophomore Chris Howard stepped up and ran for 144 yards--105 in the second half--and three touchdowns in 23 carries for the 10th-seeded Pilots (5-6), who played significantly better than their record indicated.

Then again, the Pilots came into the game with a 7-3 record on the field, but had to forfeit three victories because of an ineligible player.

Trailing at halftime, 23-21, Banning used the first 7:32 of the third quarter on a grueling 13-play drive that covered 72 yards and was capped by Howard’s 13-yard run.

Birmingham’s Aaron Minor then mishandled the kickoff. Banning’s Deron Austin recovered at the five-yard line and Howard scored on the next play for a 36-23 lead.

Seventh-seeded Birmingham (8-3) controlled the clock in the first half, despite a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Howard and a 55-yard catch-and-run pass play from quarterback Mike Garrison to receiver Michael Cockrell.

Good thing for the Braves that Evans was on their sideline. He answered nearly every big-play score in the first half. The play also led to a strong statement from Birmingham Coach Dave Lertzman, who turned and gave his thoughts to a reporter on the sideline.

“I don’t know how far we’re going to go in the playoffs, but he’s the City player of the year,” Lertzman said as his team lined up for the extra point.

“I know you have to win the championship to get it, but it’s a miscarriage of justice if he doesn’t.”

Banning plays at second-seeded Westchester (11-0) in the quarterfinals.