Power player

Dayton High School sophomore running back Duke Evans has yet to be held under 100 yards in a game this season.

Nobody has kept him out of the end zone, either.

The shifty but powerful halfback has put together 1,525 rushing yards for the Dust Devils and has made 17 trips to the end zone.

In terms of total rushing yards, he ranks second in Nevada regardless of classification.

“He’s very explosive, he’s fast and once he makes a decision he is good to go,” said Dayton head coach Terrence Spann. “He runs the ball tough every play and he wants to take the ball to the end zone every single play.”

His worst game statistically this season came against Incline, where he put up 131 yards and a single trip to the end zone.

Only Incline and Pershing County have kept Evans from making multiple trips to the end zone.

RECORD-SETTING PACE

As of last Saturday’s win over Coral Academy, Evans was on pace to break the school’s single-season rushing yards record and single-season touchdown record, according to Spann.

Evans’ breakout game came against Hamilton (Calif.) in late September.

Though the sophomore had run for 100-plus yards in his first four games, he put on a clinic against the California high school.

Evans got 39 touches against Hamilton, which he worked to the tune of 338 yards and two touchdowns.

Two weeks later against North Tahoe, Evans scored five touchdowns while racking up 224 yards on the ground.

Against Coral Academy, Evans added to his season totals with 192 yards and two scores.

He’s even surprised himself this season.

“No, definitely not,” said Evans when asked if he expected to do this much damage this fall.

“We thought he would have a great season, but we didn’t know he would be doing this,” Spann said.

CHANGING THINGS UP

While his breakout as an underclassman might not have been anticipated, the sophomore is currently averaging 9.4 yards per carry on 164 rushing attempts.

It’s a blistering average that becomes even more dangerous in games like Saturday’s, where the Dust Devils put Evans behind center in a Wildcat formation.

“That was something that was cooked up because everyone wants to stack the box on him,” said Spann.

Evans said his performances this season have been based around his film studies during the day and his overall athleticism.

The Dust Devil sophomore is a three-sport athlete, but has been playing football for the better part of the last six years.

Being an all-around athlete has been one of the main reasons he feels like he’s been able to post some of his more absurd stat lines.

“Mostly agility, I feel like — but a little bit of everything,” said Evans. “It’s just fun. I like it.”

Spann feels another aspect of the Dust Devils’ success in the rushing department has been with a shift in scheme.

Dayton has moved from an inside zone approach to outside zone looks.

“The offensive line has been outstanding. We made a commitment as coaches to go to a different scheme,” said Spann. “It’s kind of allowed us to open up holes. It’s also allowed our kids to thrive.”

ONE TO GO

Dayton will wrap up its 2024 campaign Saturday morning at White Pine.

As an independent, the Dust Devils are not postseason eligible.

However, with the performance on the turf by Evans this fall, Dayton is quickly becoming a show worth watching, especially as its sophomore back continues to bruise his way through would-be tacklers.

(Dayton’s Duke Evans runs over a would-be tackler last Saturday in a 57-0 win over Coral Academy. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal)