EP Mustangs Seek To Advance In IHSA Football Playoffs

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Fresh off their best performance of the season and their first IHSA playoff victory in five years, the Evergreen Park High School Mustangs football team has its eye on a potential Elite Eight appearance in the Class 5A bracket. That appearance would come with a second-round victory over Elmwood Park High School, who will visit Evergreen Park for a 5 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Nov. 3.

"Our players have worked hard all season, they've fought and been in almost every game this year," said EPCHS Head Coach Jerry Verde.

Despite just making the playoff cut with a 5-4 regular season record and earning a No. 16 seed, the Mustangs played lights out in their first round IHSA playoff victory over top-seeded Walter Payton College Prep. The team put up 63 points and had a freshman quarterback come off the bench to complete four passes... all of which went for touchdowns.

"It was the best game we've played all year," said Verde, who is in his third year at the helm of the Evergreen Park program. "We were able to get a lot of things going on the ground too."

The Mustangs have been anchored this season by junior Sean Wilkinson, a slot receiver and free safety; senior Reggie Bracken, a center and defensive end; senior corner/running back Robert Streater and senior slot/linebacker Karlton Carpenter.

The team has already exceeded expectations by making the playoffs right after consecutive 3-6 seasons.

"A lot of people thought we'd struggle going into this season, but we have a tight group," Verde said.

A narrow win at Leo in the season opener set the tone for what would become a clutch season for Evergreen Park.

"We knew the Leo game would be a challenge as they were physically bigger than us, but for us to come out on top - that gave our kids so much confidence," Verde said.

Two one-point wins over Reavis and Oak Lawn followed, giving the Mustangs a 4-1 start to the season.

Next up, Elmwood Park is a team Verde says is "pretty sound offensively with a strong running game."

But also a team "we believe we can compete against."

Evergreen Park Football Results this year: via MaxPreps

• 8/24: at Leo, W, 19-12
• 8/31: vs. Longwood, W, 1-0 (Forfeit)
• 9/7: vs. Richards, L, 42-0
• 9/14: vs. Reavis, W, 25-24
• 9/21: at Oak Lawn, W, 15-14
• 9/28: at Eisenhower, L, 32-21
• 10/5: at Argo, L, 34-28
• 10/12: at Shepard, L, 51-14
• 10/19: vs. T.F. North, L, 17-7
• Playoffs: 10/26 at Walter Payton College Prep, W, 63-34

Photo courtesy of Evergreen Park Community High School