EVERGREEN PARK, IL — The Evergreen Park Community High School football team will only have three chances to play on its new state-of-the-art turf field this season, and Friday’s home opener against the Oak Lawn Spartans was a rout, 49-31.
Evergreen Park Mustang running back David “DJ” Johnson dominated the Spartans, carrying the ball 13 times for 217 yards and three touchdowns in Evergreen Park’s victory over Oak Lawn. Quarterback Rowan Smyth was 8 for 15 producing two touchdowns. Receivers Caleb Keyser and Tyler Phelps each contributed a TD.
It was the first time in 12 years that the football field got a turf makeover. The baseball and softball fields were refurbished in 2021 at EPCHS’s gem of a sports complex, with a southern yellow pine wood infill manufactured by Brock USA designed to improve traction and reduce artificial turf heat. The manufacturer’s same wood infill surface was used for the football field installed over a shock pad said to enhance player performance and safety.
Find out what's happening in Evergreen Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“The band students used it all summer,” EPCHS principal Matt Dugan told Patch from the sidelines. “They appreciated the benefits of non-radiating heat from the old-style turf.”
In addition to the new turf, EPCHS also debuted its new Jumbotron scoreboard.
Find out what's happening in Evergreen Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The rest of the evening was Friday Night Football poetry in motion. Asked which side he was cheering for, Interim D231 Supt. Mike Riordan, recently retired from Oak Lawn Community High School Dist. 229, diplomatically replied: “The green team.” (The Spartan and Mustang colors are green.”
Click Here: new zealand chiefs rugby jersey
The Mustang Marching Band had all the fun, setting the tone for the game with drum rolls and getting the rowdy student section with pep inspired stand songs. The EPCHS flag, dance and cheer teams put on a dazzling performance with the band during the half-time show.
Spectators in the stands were also treated to a performance by the Evergreen Park Stallion cheer team, who joined the Mustang cheerleaders.
“We eat and breathe Friday night high school football on the Southwest Side of Chicago,” Dugan said. “It’s so much fun.”
The EPCHS boys soccer team was the first to christen the new turf last Wednesday, beating Rich Township High School, 2-1. In addition to boys football and soccer, the girls soccer team will also use the field for practice and games in the spring.
The 2-1 Evergreen Park Mustangs will hit the road Sept. 23 where they will face the undefeated Thornton Fractional North Meteors, of Calumet City. The Mustangs won’t be back home until Oct. 3 when they play the Eisenhower Cardinals during EPCHS Homecoming week.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.