0
0
CPA senior Ondre Evans made it very clear that his future as a defensive back was solidified over the summer when he committed to LSU. Knowing the rich defensive back lineage that’s come out of Baton Rouge, Evans wanted to be the next in line.
Ranked as a four-star cornerback as well as a top-100 prospect by multiple recruiting outlets, Evans is also well aware that several teams likely won’t target him much throughout the year. Through five weeks, that’s been the case for sure.
Not having a ton to do defensively, Evans has instead turned his attention to the offensive side of the ball. Entering Thursday night he had recorded back-to-back games with a receiving touchdown. That total rose by two against BGA as Evans scored twice to lead the Lions to a 41-7 win over their region foe.
“I haven’t been getting a lot of action on defense so I’ve been able to contribute to the offense,” Evans said. “Last week (Braden) Streeter and I went 2-for-2 on our connections and this week we went 2-for-2 again. We just have to keep it going.”
Typically a quarterback throwing to a defensive back is viewed as a negative. For Streeter though, that connection has only helped him excel on the field as Evans gives him a target he knows he’ll be able to get the ball to at any point in a game.
Streeter noted that the two really began to work on that connection during the spring. That connection has only grown as the months passed and now Evans is his go-to- target, especially on deep routes.
“It’s been great to have him out there even if he is a defensive player first,” Streeter said. “It’s a trust thing between us. He’s running great routes right now and getting himself open. I just have to trust him and let him go get the ball.”
Evans’ leadership skills standout to his head coach
Evans’ playmaking ability flashed on back-to-back drives during the second quarter.
Already up by a pair of touchdowns, Streeter heaved up a pass to Evans who got a step on his defender. Leaping over the BGA cornerback, Evans hauled in the 42-yard reception to put the Lions 21-0 seven seconds in the quarter.
On the next drive, CPA drove deep into BGA territory. Streeter hit Evans on screen and he did the rest. Evans battled through two would-be tackles on the sideline and just got the ball across the line for his second touchdown of the game.
The effort on plays like that is something CPA coach Ingle Martin has grown to love.
“He’s been huge for us on offense,” Martin said. “Owen Cabell went out with an injury against Pearl-Cohn and Ondre honestly stepped up. He’s been doing that and is a great leader.
…he’s a kid who loves playing ball and getting better. Literally every week we’re just so impressed with how much he puts into it and how much he’s getting better.”
