Evangel

LIGHTING

Championships continue to be the normal for the Evangel Lightning. Coming off a third state championship in a row under fourth-year head coach Tim Smith as well as back-to-back eight-man national championships, the expectation is for that to continue in 2020.

Under Smith, the Lightning have never lost an eight-man game, while the dynasty has won nine of the last 10 ACSC State Championships. Despite the departure of 16 seniors, including their top playmakers, the expectation remains the same.

This year’s team may look a little different from an offensive standpoint with three-year starting quarterback Tyler Henderson gone and a challenging schedule, but the Lightning still remain loaded with talent and will be the favorites in eight-man football this fall until somebody knocks them off.

MEET THE TEAM

QUARTERBACK

With the departure of three-year starter Tyler Henderson, it’s now time for a new face, and that will likely be sophomore quarterback Eli Whitfield. Standing at 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, Whitfield has been the backup to Henderson the last two years. Due to his speed and ability to run the ball, the Evangel offense may shift from more of a pass-heavy style to one that takes advantage of his legs.

RUNNING BACK

While quarterback will be a key position to replace, running back might be the more alarming. Evangel will lose both Noah Shears and athlete Will Ferrell at the position, who combined for 1,600 yards. Attempting to replace them will be former nose guard Daniel Viles, who brings a 5-foot-9, 205-pound frame to the table.

RECEIVERS

This is the position Ferrell will be missed the most at, but luckily for the Lightning, Jett Lodge will be back to spend the majority of his time at receiver after totaling 1,214 yards last year with 23 touchdowns. In addition to that, Harris Black and Tyler Wilson will both help, while former linebacker Timothy Howard will play at the position due to his good hands.

Harris Black

CLASSIFICATION

ACSC

2019 RECORD

8-2 (2-0) ACSC State Champions

HEAD COACH

Tim Smith

RECORD

25-7 (Fourth year)

ASSISTANT COACHES Hagan Joiner, Brian Wolf, Jon Parker, Jack Donovan

LAST REGION TITLE

2019

LAST PLAYOFF GAME

2019

OFFENSIVE LINE

The offensive line is one of the most exciting for Smith heading into the year. Thomas Koach, a 5-foot-8, 215-pound junior, will handle a guard position, while Zach Chandler and Caleb Lumpkin will both be tackles. Chandler stands at 5-foot-9, 225 pounds, while Lumpking brings good height to the table at 6-foot3, 204 pounds. Three others will battle for center with Carson Donovan, Jared Mourn and Everson Jones all bringing a size of at least 6-foot-1, 230 pounds to the table, while Marcus Bennett will return from a knee injury last year

DEFENSIVE LINE

Many of those offensive linemen will split time on the defensive line as well, while junior Riley Mason and senior Tyler Jeffers will also help out. Both played a lot last year, while Mason has gained 20 pounds. They’ll each spend time at defensive end, while others from the offensive line will fill spots. LINEBACKERS

The linebackers will be another bright spot for this year’s team. Howard will be a leader at the unit, while Weathers and Viles will also spend time at the position. In addition to that, sophomore Aidan Lau and junior Chris Lee will play important roles. Freshman Colton Dorough will also help, while twins Kaden and Kyle Jones will add depth.

SECONDARY

Several of the team’s best athletes will slide into the secondary as well, including Harris Black, Lau, Wilson and Whitfield. Those four will be primary defensive backs, while speedy sophomore Garrett Brooks, senior Caleb Patton and freshman Hayden Black will look to help solidify the back line of defense.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Lodge is set to do it all on special teams as the kicker and reutrn man for the Lightning.

Jett Lodge, ATH

Lodge will be the team’s best athlete this season and returns 1,214 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns. He’ll play all over the field.

Eli Whitfield, QB

Whitfield will be key this year as Henderson’s replacement at quarterback, but his speed will make him fun to watch.

Daniel Viles, RB/LB

Playing on both sides of the ball, Viles will be a key this year, and will have his hands full trying to take over at running back.

2020 SCHEDULE

Aug. 21: @ Meadowview Christian Aug. 28: East Central HomeSchool* Sept. 4: @ King’s Academy Sept. 11: @ Southern Christian Sept. 18: Bye Sept. 25: @ Lighthouse HomeSchool* Oct. 2: Ezekiel Academy* Oct. 9: Tennessee Heat Oct. 16: Freedom Cowboys Oct. 23: @ Georgia Force Christian Oct. 30: Evangel Christian

*Region game

2019 STATS

Offense Total points: 460 Per game: 46 County rank: 1

Defense Points allowed: 281 Per game: 28.1 County rank: 5

NO. 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 NAME Garrett Brooks Harris Black Jett Lodge Lucas Mast Wyatt Picklesimer Eli Whitfield Tyler Jeffers Kaden Jones Timothy Howard Aidan Lau Dylan Weathers

2020 Evangel Roster

POSITION

ATH QB, DB WR, DB K QB, WR QB, DB DE CB, ATH FB, OLB DB, WR LB, FB

YEAR

10 11 12 10 12 10 12 10 12 10 10

NO. 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 24 27 28 NAME Kyle Jones Connor Nettles Chris Le Zhenya Stallings Zane Barlow Colton Dorough Hayden Black Tyler Wilson Daniel Viles Marc Ayers Jake Parker POSITION

DB, ATH WR, DB DL, OL DE, OL ATH ATH ATH RB, LB NG, OL ATH ATH, DE

YEAR

10 10 11 10 9 9 9 10 12 11 8

NO. 40 50 52 54 57 59 60 67 72 88 NAME Zachary Turner Elijah Henderson Thomas Koch Zach Chandler Everson Jones Caleb Lumpkin Carson Donovan Matthew Long Jared Warren Riley Mason POSITION

DL, OL DL, OL OL, DL DL, OL C, DL OL DL, OL DE, OL OL, DL DL, OL

YEAR

12 10 11 11 11 11 9 10 12 10