Last Minute Score Lifts Kits Over Trevians, 26-22

There have been plenty of iconic moments in the history of the Evanston-New Trier football rivalry, one that dates back to 1913.

Demarion Timberlake added his name to the list of Wildkit legends Friday night at Lazier Field on a play that would have made the Hall of Fame coach proud.

Timberlake’s determination to reach the end zone matched Evanston’s desperation to end a 4-game losing skid and his touchdown with 43 seconds left in the game lifted the hosts to a 26-22 Homecoming victory over New Trier in front of a packed house.

Put simply, Timberlake refused to lose.

A push from behind from one of his buddies --- guard Owen McElhatton --- on a last minute screen pass from Colin Livatino helped the ETHS running back plow through a mob of potential tacklers. He finished off that 46-yard play down the left sideline and finished off the Trevians, too.

Evanston moved to 1-1 in the Central Suburban League South division and improved to 2-4 overall, reviving talk around the program about a potentially strong finish that could still secure an Illinois High School Association state playoff berth. The loss knocked the Trevians (1-5) out of postseason consideration.

“I did it for my family, I did it for my community, I did it for my brothers (teammates),” said an emotional Timberlake. “Second effort is all that really matters. I gave it my all.

“On the play, I saw a lot of heads down (by potential New Trier tacklers) and I thought maybe I could do some high-stepping and get through. Then I felt 2 hands on my back push me forward, and that was all I needed. Give me an inch --- and I’ll take a mile!”

Evanston trailed 22-20 after a bad center snap on a punt resulted in a safety for New Trier with 5 minutes, 18 seconds left in the contest. But Avan Teuer’s fumble recovery on the next play from scrimmage at his own 39 yard line breathed new life into the home team.

Eight plays later, the Wildkits faced a 3rd down and 8 situation with time running down. Livatino (17-of-30 passing for 238 yards and 3 TDs) lobbed a screen to Timberlake on the left side. And somehow, the senior running back maneuvered his way to glory.

“That was a phenomenal effort by Timber on that slip screen,” said Evanston head coach Mike Burzawa. “He missed a couple of games (with a toe injury) and he’s come back hungry and determined. He showed toughness, he showed determination, he showed the heart of a tiger.

“We found a way to win tonight, and these kids deserve it. We had a big team discussion on Monday --- about more than Xs and Os --- about going out there and playing free, having fun, believing in yourself. They made a memory for themselves tonight, and I’m so proud of them.”

The Wildkits did face adversity on more than one occasion, plagued by bad center snaps on punts that led to bad field position. But the beleaguered defensive unit rose to the occasion, forcing 3 turnovers and racking up 4 sacks of New Trier quarterback Patrick Heneghan while limiting the Trevians to 141 yards rushing.

Senior linebacker Yohanness Jean-Francois accounted for two of those sacks and also blocked a field goal attempt. Junior Ryan Abrams contributed a sack and an interception, and sophomore Michael Pryor intercepted a pass on the final play of the game to seal the win.

Evanston now leads the all-time series against New Trier with 56 wins to 53 for the Trevs. The two rivals have tied 6 times.

“If we had lost this game, the season would be over (out of playoff consideration),” said Jean-Francois. “And it was our last chance as seniors to beat New Trier. I think the seniors were all really locked in because of that. We just had to stay locked in.

“I had to dig down deep tonight. I just had to do my thing, be (No.) 33 and have fun.”

Evanston used some last minute magic to take a 20-13 halftime lead, as Livatino rolled out and heaved a 51-yard TD pass to Cajmere Lemond with only 5 seconds left before the intermission. Earlier, the Wildkits had scored on a 2-yard run by Timberlake (21 carries for 69 yards) and on an 8-yard pass from Livatino to Emmett Robinson.

New Trier, which also played with the determination you wouldn’t expect from a 1-win team, answered with a 40-yard scoring drive after William Henry returned the second half kickoff 30 yards.

Heneghan burned the Kit defense with a 38 yard completion to Miles Cremascoli, then scored on a 1-yard run to knot the score at 20-all.

A bad snap on a punt set up the visitors at the ETHS 31 midway through the third period. But New Trier only got as close as the 19, and Jean-Francois deflected a field goal attempt by New Trier’s highly-touted kicker, Nikola Dugandzic, to preserve the tie.

Dugandzic did punt the hosts into a hole at their own 11 halfway through the fourth quarter, and that led to the safety that sent the Trevs into the lead.

“This is a big win. Absolutely, this could be a turning point in the season,” added Burzawa. “When you get the validation for all of the hard work you put in, it sure is a great feeling. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

The Wildkits will play at Deerfield at 7:30 p.m. next Friday.