With a 230-yard rushing performance in Warren Central’s (Indianapolis, IN) 49-0 win over Franklin Central last Friday, 6-1, 215-pound running back Darren Evans went over the 2,000-yard mark for the third consecutive season. He now has over 7,000 yards rushing in his illustrious high school career and is looking to continue his success and help his team capture a fourth consecutive state championship.
“He has rushed for 7,000 yards for his career and we play in the toughest conference in the Midwest,” Warren Central Head Coach Steve Tutsie said. “And don’t take my word for that. Ask some Big 10 coaches. He has rushed for 2,000 yards not once, not twice, but three years in a row. What’s more impressive is that we had a magic quarterback our first two years. The last two, the focus has been on him and he has kept it going. Darren is a special young talent. It’s a credit to how he prepares himself for the season. He’s constantly trying to make himself better.”
Evans has certainly had a storied career at Warren Central. Granted, to rack up these kinds of numbers takes a team effort, but Evans deserves a lot of the credit.
“Darren is the first to say that our offensive line is very good,” Tutsie said. “At the same token, Darren has the mindset that everything is up to him. He wants to have the ball 25 to 30 times a game, which is a mindset all good backs have. He has that mentality. He relishes the opportunities he has and he wants to carry the rock.”
A good student as well, Evans has made mostly As in the first part of his senior year. He still wants to finish out his senior year as opposed to enrolling at Virginia Tech in January.
“No matter when he gets there, he’ll be ready,” Tutsie said. “He’ll be mentally and physically ready to go. I just think he wants to be a high school kid and relax for the rest of his senior before moving on. I can’t really blame him for that.”
Warren Central’s win last week was for a berth in the Class 5A, Section 5 finals. This week, the team takes on North Central in the finals. With a win, Warren Central will earn a berth in the regional finals with the state semifinals to follow.
“We’re an experienced bunch, so we’re used to playing in these games,” Tutsie said. His team, ranked #6 in the nation by USA Today, is undefeated this season. “We’re focused. We’ve played well the first two playoff games.”
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Solid commitment…
Evans continues to be a solid commitment to Virginia Tech. Programs, including in-state rival UVa, continue to try and get in the mix with Evans, but the talented back is very solid.
“Schools have tried, but I’m good friends with Coach Wiles and Coach Foster,” Tutsie said. “Darren is where he should be.”
Evans plans on visiting Virginia Tech unofficially for the Kent State game. He expects to be joined on the visit by 5-9, 185-pound junior running back Jewell Hampton (who has 700 yards rushing this season) and 6-0, 185-pound sophomore Eric Williams.
“Eric’s going to be a good one,” Tutsie said. “And he loves Virginia Tech.”
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Halloween…
Darren Evans had someone pretend to be him on Halloween last night.
“My son was Darren Evans for Halloween,” Tutsie said with a laugh. “If I had to pick a running back, Darren is a good one to pick.”
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