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Yarbrough makes big strides (+ Evanston team page)
Evanston's Deontre Yarbrough reels in a long pass behind New Trier's Trent Peters in Northfield on Friday night. Visit seasonpass.suntimes.com/pioneer to view a photo gallery from the game. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
This Week
Evanston
BOYS and GIRLS
CROSS COUNTRY
Saturday
At Loyola Acad. Regional at Harms Woods, (B) 10:45 a.m.; (G) 10 a.m.
FOOTBALL
Friday
Hosts Niles West, 7:30 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Saturday
At Niles North Reg., 11 a.m.
Tuesday
At New Trier Sect., 5 p.m.
GIRLS SWIM/DIVE
Friday
Hosts Glenbrook South, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday
Hosts Rockford Guilford, 1 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Saturday
At Prospect State Finals, 8 a.m.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Today
At Glenbrook South, 6 p.m.
Tuesday
At Trinity Reg. vs. Payton, 7 p.m.
Article Extras
Updated: November 19, 2012 1:26PM
WINNETKA — As the season has progressed, Evanston’s Deontre Yarbrough has drawn increased attention from opposing defenses because of his development as a wide receiver.
Yarbrough played sparingly as a junior, but worked on improving each facet of his game in the attempt to become a reliable target for first-year Evanston quarterback Chris Little. Yarbrough has started throughout his senior season and quickly established himself as one of the team’s most dangerous weapons.
“I think I’ve developed a lot,” Yarbrough said. “I’ve gotten better from where I was last year. My route running (is better). I’ve worked on my speed, worked on my catching — all the things that are key to being a good receiver.”
Evanston starts three wide receivers, and each has different strengths. Yarbrough is the team’s deep threat, a player whom the Wildkits often look for when they need a big play.
On Oct. 6 against state power Maine South, senior wide receiver Marcus Hampton threw a 92-yard pass to Yarbrough to give Evanston a 14-10 lead. Yarbrough had five catches for 144 yards in a 31-21 defeat.
Yarbrough’s numbers weren’t as eye-catching against New Trier — four receptions, 54 yards — but he had a similar impact on the game. Yarbrough used his speed to get behind the New Trier secondary and haul in a 34-yard reception in the second quarter. Yarbrough’s catch ignited Evanston’s offense and set up a three-yard touchdown run by Hampton.
“Yarbrough has done a fantastic job for us all year,” Evanston coach Mike Burzawa said. “He’s had some big catches.”
Yarbrough has noticed defensive coordinators altering their personnel to try to limit his impact as Evanston’s season has progressed and Yarbrough has made more plays downfield.
Soon after he caught the 34-yard pass against New Trier, the Trevians’ coaching staff matched up their best cornerback on Yarbrough.
“Toward the end of the game, once I had a few catches, I could see the defense switch their DBs on me,” Yarbrough said. “But you’ve just got to deal with it.”
As a senior with a prominent role on the offense, Yarbrough has also become more of a leader this season. Evanston currently rests on the brink of playoff eligibility with a 4-4 record, and needs to defeat 5-3 Niles West on Oct. 19 to qualify for the postseason.
“We’ve got to have a short memory,” said Yarbrough after New Trier beat the Wildkits, 15-9. “Things happened today that shouldn’t have happened. We have to forget about it, go out and practice hard (this) week and get that ‘W’ against Niles West.”
Names in the Game
PAIGE HADEN
Noteworthy efforts: Haden, a junior member of the girls swimming team, was a key contributor in the Wildkits’ 126-60 win over Niles West on Friday. She placed first in the 100-yard backstroke (1 minute, 3.05 seconds), while also helping the 200 medley relay (1:55.84) and the 400 freestyle relay (3:53.30) finish first as well.
EvAN TER MOLEN
Noteworthy efforts: A junior member of the boys golf team, TerMolen fired an 88 Friday to place 105th during the Class 3A state tournament. TerMolen finished strong, shooting a 42 on the back nine. Saturday’s second round was canceled due to inclement weather.
Quick Hits
Big Numbers
3 | Place-finish for the girls cross country team in the CSL South conference meet. The Wildkits finished with 80 points, behind second-place Maine South (32) and champion New Trier (28).
Sound Bites
“Evanston’s our biggest rival. We love playing them. It was on our home turf. It’s our last guaranteed game on our field and we just wanted to go out with a bang and get a win.”
— New Trier football guard Perry Nitiss following the Trevian’s 15-9 win over Evanston on Friday.
Don’t Miss Today
Girls volleyball: Evanston at Glenbrook South, 6 p.m.
Saturday
Boy and girls cross country: Evanston at Loyola Regional, 10 a.m.
Evanston’s boys team, which finished fourth in the CSL South conference meet, and the girls squad (third in the league meet), both will be seeking sectional berths at Harm’s Woods in Skokie. The girls race at 10 a.m. The boys follow at 10:45 a.m.
