EVANGEL
TEAM INFORMATION
LIGHTING If the Evangel Lightning have ever had motivation heading into a season, it will be this year. Heading into year five under head coach Tim Smith, the Lightning won the 8-man national championship for the third year in a row last year, but didn’t win the ACSC State Championship for the first time in his tenure. Despite revenge in the championship game, that is something driving this year’s team, and with 50 varsity players heading into the season, the hopes are high. Evangel will lose top playmaker Jett Lodge and several other key pieces, but the Lightning have several players back and have reloaded as they look to fight for the state championship.
MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK A good portion of the offensive talent is gone, but that doesn’t apply to the quarterback position. Junior Eli Whitfield is back after throwing for more than 2,100 yards and 36 touchdowns last year. He is primed for an even bigger year this season as the undoubted leader of the team.
RUNNING BACK The Lightning won’t have a ton of experience at running back this season, but they will have depth. Tyler Wilson is back for his junior season after playing in eight games last year. Smith is confident in his ability as a quick and strong back, saying his name will be known by the end of the year. Behind him, Colton Dorough, Jake Parker, Hunter Atkins and Shace Green will all get time.
RECEIVERS The most experienced receiver back this season with the departure of Jett Lodge’s 1,043 yards is Harris Black with six receptions. That shows a lack of experience, but the Lightning have several of the team’s athletes set to make a difference at the position. Black has a good frame with a size of 6-foot-2, and he’ll be joined by Judah Thompson as a top target. In addition to those two, Connor Nettles, Aidan Lau, Hayden Black and Zion Thompson will all have opportunities to make a difference.
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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Eli Whitfield
CLASSIFICATION ACSC 2020 RECORD 10-1 (2-1) National Champions HEAD COACH Tim Smith RECORD 35-8 (Fifth year) ASSISTANT COACHES Hagan Joiner, Brian Wolfe, Jon Parker, Jack Donovan, Andrew Welch, Marty Black LAST REGION TITLE 2019 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2020
