WELCOME BACK EVAN B.: After a double MCL/ACL tear suffered in Avon’s week 3 game against Oakfield-Alabama/Elba forced him to watch much of the Hawks’ sectional run from the sidelines last year, Evan B. decided Friday night was a perfect time and Hornell the perfect place to remind everyone just what he’s capable of when healthy. 

The senior quarterback went 14-of-18 passing for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns in Avon’s season opener against Hornell/Arkport-Canaseraga Friday night as the Hawks rolled to the comfortable, 27-6 win in the Maple City.

“It was a blessing being back out there,” said Evan. “There were so many times when I just wanted to cry being out there. Extremely emotional and I just felt really blessed to be out there with all my friends who care about football as much as I do.”

Senior receiver Kal D., who earned co-offensive player of the year honors after taking over quarterbacking duties last year following Evan’s injury, hauled in two of the scores - the first, a 6-yard reception with 6:45 left in the second quarter and the second, a a 66-yard catch-and-run that pushed the Hawks’ lead to 20-0 at the end of the first half. 

Evan’s third and final touchdown came with 9:06 left in the third quarter when he was flushed from the pocket, rolled out to his right and heaved a 41-yard bomb into the waiting hands of junior receiver Elijah R., who trotted untouched into the endzone. 

Friday’s comeback was a long time coming for Evan, who had to teach himself how to walk again during 9 months of grueling physical therapy. 

“My surgery was probably the most painful thing I’ve ever gone through in my life,” he said. “Honestly though, the hardest part was probably being out and watching everyone win without me.” 

If there’s a silver lining to be found in Evan’s injury, it’s in the newfound motivation a year away from the sport has brought on. 

“That 9 months of rehab - it felt like 3 years, so being able to take advantage of the opportunity to play again, it was just amazing,” Evan said. “I was given a second chance. My injury didn’t happen during my senior year, it happened during my junior year, so now I get one more year to take advantage of every single opportunity I get.” 

The Hawks are next in action Friday, Sept. 12 in Dansville against the 1-0 Mustangs.

And when Evan steps out onto the field with his teammates, he’ll be leaning on a newfound perspective to make sure he’s focused on that one, single game and nothing else. 

“I’m trying to take advantage of every single week, make the most of every single week because - like with my injury, next week is never promised,” he said. “Last year, I was too caught up in sectionals and everything that I couldn't focus on each game in front of me and next thing I know, week 3, I’m out the rest of the season. So I’m really trying to go one week at a time instead of focusing on the bigger picture.”