Ausmer ran for 104 yards on 11 carries, averaging 9.4 yards per carry, and scored two touchdowns on runs of 25 and 23 yards in the Patriots’ 35-6 victory over John Carroll Catholic on Aug. 23.By Rubin E. Grant
Homewood senior running back Evan Ausmer didn’t give it a second thought when asked who was the better football player, him or his older brother Trae.
“Me,” Evan Ausmer blurted out. “I’m better. I don’t have to hesitate. I bring more to the game of football than him. I can do all-around things, run the ball, catch it and do kick returns.”
Trae Ausmer was a standout receiver for the Patriots who graduated in 2020. He surpassed 1,000 receiving yards as a senior and compiled 1,766 receiving yards during his final two seasons. He played the past three years at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, but is currently looking to transfer to another school.
Homewood head coach Ben Berguson refused to be drawn into the debate, although after Evan Ausmer’s performance in the Patriots’ season-opening victory at John Carroll Catholic on Aug. 23, he said Homewood hasn’t had a running back like Evan Ausmer in awhile.
Ausmer ran for 104 yards on 11 carries, averaging 9.4 yards per carry, and scored two touchdowns on runs of 25 and 23 yards in the Patriots’ 35-6 victory.
“That’s a hard one,” Berguson said about which of the brothers is better. “Both are great athletes. I probably shouldn’t choose one over the other.”
Berguson did double down on his assertion that the 5-foot-7, 176-pound Evan Ausmer is the Patriots’ best running back in several years.
“He has a knack for seeing the hole before it develops,” Berguson said. “He has a certain instinct and he’s a great zone runner. He made some jump cuts against John Carroll that were unbelievable.”
Berguson also likes the versatility Ausmer brings to Homewood’s offense.
“He’s not only a great running back, but he has unbelievable hands, as good as any receiver on the team,” Berguson said. “At times, we’ll line him up in the slot cause he’s so elusive.”
Evan Ausmer gives his brother some credit for his elusiveness, as well.
“I think the footwork we have is great,” Evan Ausmer said of himself and his brother. “He showed me some little moves to make guys miss.”
As a junior, Evan Ausmer rushed for 512 yards and four touchdowns and caught 19 passes for 185 yards and a TD. But he had only one 100-yard game, coming when he ran for 122 yards against Pelham.
Ausmer is looking for more this season. The victory against John Carroll avenged a 36-31 loss to the Cavaliers last year in the Battle of Lakeshore.
“We had to come back better than we were last year,” Ausmer said. “It was a great way for me to start. One of the goals I want to reach is getting 100 yards rushing every game.”
He’s also hoping the Patriots can make a run at a Class 6A state championship. They were eliminated in the first round in 2023 in a narrow 10-9 loss to Pike Road, which reached the semifinals.
“As a team, I feel like we can go far and deep in the playoffs,” Ausmer said. “We’ve got a bunch of starters back from last year. We’ve just got to keep pushing and get a little bit better every day.”
The Patriots played host to Briarwood last Friday and will travel to Mortimer Jordan this week in their Class 6A, Region 5 opener.
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