Helena

EVANGEL

LIGHTING

For the second year in a row, the Evangel Lightning will enter the football season with something to prove despite winning a fourth consecutive NHSA 8-man National Championship in 2021.

The Lightning fell short of one of their main goals going into each season—an ACSC State Championship. Losing in the title game for the second year in a row, however, Evangel went on to use that as motivation for a run to the national title for the fourth consecutive season.

Now, that motivation is carrying into the 2022 season, as sixth-year head coach Tim Smith has what he thinks could be one of his best teams in his tenure thus far.

MEET THE TEAM

QUARTERBACK

One reason for the excitement this year, and rightfully so, is the return of senior quarterback Eli Whitfield. He’ll hold down the position again this season after totaling 2,551 yards and 35 touchdowns through the air a season ago.

RUNNING BACK

If defenses start to respect the arm of Whitfield too much, Evangel will be able to make them pay with the return of Hunter Atkins at running back. A season ago, Atkins finished with 1,223 yards and 17 touchdowns in addition to 170 receiving yards and two more touchdowns. Colton Dorough will provide a good one-two punch.

RECEIVERS

The theme of returning success will remain intact at the receiver position as well. Senior Judah Thompson will return as the leader of the unit. He totaled 54 receptions for 745 yards last season and has the best hands on the team. Twins Kyle and Caden Jones, both seniors, will also spend a lot of time at the position, as Kyle returns the second most yards at the position after totaling 412 on 23 catches. Junior Zion Thompson is also expected to have a breakout season.

Eli

Whitfield

CLASSIFICATION

ACSC

2021 RECORD

13-3 (3-2) National Champions

HEAD COACH

Tim Smith

RECORD

48-11 (Sixth year)

ASSISTANT COACHES

Hagan Joiner, Brian Wolfe, Jon Parker, Jack Donovan, Andrew Welch, Marty Black.

LAST REGION TITLE

2019

LAST PLAYOFF GAME

2021

Photo by Keith McCoy

offensive line. The three-year starter holds a frame of 6-foot-4, 290 pounds and will likely handle the center position. Jackson Tuell, a senior, is another returnee who will handle a guard position, while Elijah Henderson returns to fill another guard spot.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Many linemen will play both ways for Evangel this season, starting with Cloud and Henderson. Those two will be leaders at nose guard, while sophomore Zeke Turner, who has a size of 5-foot-10, 310 pounds, will also be key. The Lightning have to replace two starting defensive ends, but juniors Cole Romano and Grady Watkins will help.

LINEBACKERS

Kaden Jones, who totaled 94 tackles and 16 tackles for loss last season, is back for his senior season to lead the team at the mike position. Junior Hayden Black also returns to the defense, moving up from the secondary to fill a linebacker position. Shace Green will be another heavily-relied upon player.

SECONDARY

Perhaps the most concerning position unit on the team is the secondary. The unit has potential, but will also be losing several starters. Judah and Zion Thompson both bring back some experience to the position, while Barlow and Black could also slide back.

SPECIAL TEAMS

For the third year in a row, the Lightning will return kicker Lucas Mast. Last year, he was 42-50 on field goals.

Eli Whitfield, QB

Whitfield returns for his third season as a key contributor and will return 2,551 passing yards and 35 total touchdowns as the team’s top offensive playmaker.

Hunter Atkins, RB

The leader at the position last year, Atkins finished with 1,223 yards and 17 touchdowns in the backfield. Now, he’ll return as part of a nice duo alongside Whitfield.

Harris Black, ATH

A leader on both sides of the ball, Black will have a major impact on the defensive side of the football after totaling more than 50 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss last year.

Judah Thompson, WR

The leading receiver on last year’s team, Thompson totaled 745 yards on 54 receptions, while he is also key in the secondary as a defensive back.

2022 SCHEDULE

Aug. 12: East Central HomeSchool* Aug. 19: Meadowview Christian Aug. 26: @ Evangel Montgomery Sept. 2: @ Southern Prep Academy Sept. 9: Tennessee Heat Sept. 16: Freedom* Sept. 23: @ Lighthouse HomeSchool* Sept. 30: Ezekiel Academy* Oct. 7: City of Life Christian Academy Oct. 14: Southern Christian* Oct. 21: Carolina

*Region game

2022 Evangel Roster

NO. NAME POSITION YEAR

2 Caeleb Austin WR, SS, CB 11 3 Zion Thompson WR/DB 11 5 Lucas Mast K 12 6 Cole Romano DL 11 7 Will Welch QB 10 8 Eli Whitfield QB 12 9 Judah Thompson WR/DB 12 10 Kaden Jones WR/DB 12 11 Hunter Atkins RB, OLB 11 12 Aidan Lau ATH 12 13 Clay Stanton ATH 11 14 Kyle Jones WR 12 19 Zane Barlow LB 11 20 Colton Dorough RB 11

NO. NAME POSITION YEAR

21 Hayden Black LB 11 22 Tyler Wilson RB 12 24 Brayden Rives ATH 10 26 Michael Blackstone WR 11 27 John Taylor Curran DL 11 28 Jake Parker RB 10 30 Kody Bolin ATH 10 32 Grady Watkins DL 11 33 Dallas Winks ATH 11 40 Joshua Looman WR/LB 11 41 Jonathan Hooks ATH 10 42 Shace Green LB 11 46 Anderson Smith CB, OLB 11 50 Elijah Henderson OL/DL 12

NO. NAME POSITION YEAR

51 Ethan Stallings OL 11 52 Henry Rhoads DL 10 53 Jackson Tuell OL 12 54 Hudson McCracken OL 12 57 Baylor Parker OL 11 59 Rollins Devilleneuve OL/DL 10 60 Carson Donovan OL/DL 11 61 Fowler Vick OL/DL 10 64 Nick Green OL/DL 10 67 Reed Castleberry OL/DL 10 70 Aidan Emmerson OL/DL 10 77 Zeke Turner OL/DL 10

HELENA

HUSKIES

With two region championships in the last three years, both nine-win seasons, and three consecutive finishes in the top two of the region standings, expectations remain high for the Helena Huskies heading into the 2022 football season.

Now in year five under head coach Richie Busby, there is still some hunger, however, falling in the first round of the playoffs both years they won the region title.

This year, the Huskies have enough key pieces back to not only battle for another region championship, but also use that determination to help fuel a special playoff run.

That said, it won’t come easy with the region getting more difficult with the additions of Homewood and Briarwood in addition to Pelham and Calera, who both challenged them last year.

With the makeup of this year’s team, expect more of the same—a physical run game and a scary defense.

MEET THE TEAM

CLASSIFICATION

AHSAA Class 6A, Region 3

2021 RECORD

9-2 (6-0)

HEAD COACH

Richie Busby

RECORD

29-15 (Fifth year)

ASSISTANT COACHES

Jim Elgin, Keith Maple, Don Dover, Shane Hutchinson, Adam Bice, Scott Lowery, David Lee, Neal Underwood, Nick Malantis, Eli Bealle, Clif Naron

LAST REGION TITLE

2021

LAST PLAYOFF GAME

2021

QUARTERBACK

The passing game will be one of the biggest question marks on this year’s team with the departure of starter Mac Turner, who threw for 1,437 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. Turner managed the game extremely well and didn’t try to do too much. Now, the reins will be turned over to either senior Dalton Llewellyn or junior Carson Acker. The two are battling for the position with Llewellyn having a little experience and Acker having junior varsity experience. Llewellyn is a strong runner, which could be the theme of this year’s team, as he could do some interesting things in an option-style offense. Acker is a pocket passer with a strong arm who could lead if called upon, but he currently lacks the experience.

Hunter Hale

Jordan

Washington

RUNNING BACK

The strongest unit on the team will come at running back with the return of Jordan Washington, AJ Horstead and Kellen Hughes. All have played at times, while Washington was one of the best running backs in the state last year with 1,606 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns in addition to 129 receiving yards. He has a frame of 6-foot-1, 205 pounds going into his junior season and is expected to be one of the top backs in the state again this year. Horstead is another physical back who will get plenty of time as well, while Hughes is a hard-nosed player who will also play some at linebacker. Jax Rush is another senior halfback who will be key in the backfield, while sophomore Jeremy Sprattling has the potential to be similar to Washington. It’s a unit that won’t have much drop off no matter who is on

2022 SCHEDULE

Aug. 18: Chelsea# (Cramton Bowl Montgomery) Aug. 26: @ Buckhorn Sept. 2: Homewood* Sept. 9: @ Chilton County* Sept. 16: Pelham*

Sept. 23: Jackson-Olin Sept. 30: @ Briarwood* Oct. 7: Bye

Oct. 14: @ Calera* Oct. 21: Benjamin Russell* Oct. 28: Vestavia Hills

*Region game # Thursday

the field, which should help open up the passing game as well.

RECEIVERS

There won’t be many receivers returning to this year’s team with the loss of leading receiver J.C. Sivley as

Jordan Washington, RB

As a sophomore, Washington stormed onto the scene with 1,606 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns.

Hunter Hale, WR

In need of a receiver to step up, Hale is expected to be the leader with a lot of upside as a returning junior.

AJ Horstead, RB

Horstead makes the backfield extremely dangerous as another physical power back similar to Washington.

Nathan Thomason, LB

With inexperience at linebacker this year, Thomason is expected to be a key leader at the position to help several new faces excel.

Xavier Guy, DL

The defensive line loses more than 160 tackles, 40 tackles for loss and 23 sacks, but Guy is a senior who can help fill a major void heading into the season.

KEY DEPARTURES

JC Sivley

The leading receiver on last year’s team, Sivley totaled 792 yards and eight touchdowns out of a tight end role.

Mac Turner

Turner managed the offense to perfection a year ago and finished the season with 1,437 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Joel Logan

A huge loss for the defense, Logan finished his senior season with 61 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 14 sack.

Connor Pugh

Totaled 99 total and 19 tackles for loss with nine sacks.

Peyton Woodall

Woodall stepped up last year to finish second on the team in tackles with 108.

2022 Helena Roster

NO. NAME POSITION YEAR

1 Desmon James DB 11 2 JT Alvis DB 10 2 Tripp Bouler WR 11 3 Hudson Pennington WR 11 4 Kevin Pinkard DB 10 5 Dalton Llewellyn QB 12 6 Ashton Cunningham LB 10 7 Hunter Hale WR/DB 11 8 Torrey Ward WR 10 8 Nathan Thomason LB 11 9 Brett Berry DE 11 10 Hudson McCaslin WR 12 11 Mason Johnson LB 12 12 Walter Womack DB 12 13 Jarett Scott WR 10 14 Nathan Jones WR 10 15 Mathew Thompson DE 12 15 C Acker QB 11 16 Domynyck Santiago RB 9 17 Jax Rush HB 12 18 Joshua Morris DB/WR 10 19 Hal Landrum LS 11 20 Eli Ray SS 11 22 Jeremy Spratling RB 10 23 AJ Horstead RB 11 24 Kellen Hughes RB 11 25 Nathan Wade ATH 11 26 Reed Woods DB 10 27 Micah Pleasant RB 10 28 Jake Quick DE 10 29 Mason Gladden RB 10 30 Cole Mathis DB 11

NO. NAME POSITION YEAR

31 Kobe Murner DB 10 32 Jackson Smith LB 11 33 Ty Thomas RB 11 34 Jordan Washington RB 11 35 Deandre Gray WR 10 36 Fred Grooms DB 10 37 Jerrod McClain RB 10 38 Walter Krzykalski LB 12 39 Austin Acosta HB 10 40 Asher Crocker DB 10 41 Charles Jackson DB 10 42 Carson Moore WR 10 44 Parker Copeland TE 10 45 Brig Smith WR 10 45 Kenyon Clements WR 10 46 Rob Morris DE 10 47 Myles Gladden DL 11 48 Kaidan Knox ATH 11 49 Grayson Mayer WR 10 51 Jackson Thomas OL 12 52 Chris Pacheco LB 12 53 Charles Stringfellow DE 10 54 Brock Wise LB 10 55 Reese Mims OL 11 56 Luke Childers DE 12 57 Connor Guida LB 9 58 Dalton Reese OL 10 59 Aidan Bahna OL 10 60 Josue McNeal OL 10 61 Grant Vines OL 10 62 William Horn OL 10 65 Brody Haitcock OL 10

NO. NAME POSITION YEAR

66 Darion Shamburger OL 11 67 Jonah Chand OL 10 68 Trace Barnett OL 12 71 Jacorey Sherman OL 12 72 Jake Julius DL 12 73 Derrick Wilson DL 12 74 Richard Allen OL/DL 12 75 Trey Vuittenot OL 10 78 Austin Wienand OL 11 79 Xavier Guy OL 12 80 Gavin Franks WR 10 81 DJ Craig WR 10 81 Owen Gilliland WR 10 82 Jordan Owens WR 10 82 Jerry Jackson WR 10 83 Javaris Dangerfield WR 10 84 Caleb Haney WR 11 85 Justin Moore WR 11 86 Bryce Banks WR 10 87 Chris Wamble WR 12 88 Eldin Kurtovic WR 10 89 Jaylen Smith DL 12 90 Jonathan Hernandez WR 10 91 John Terry K 11 92 Austin Lewis K 10 93 Kyler Heberling WR 11 94 Cole Yarbourgh DL 12 95 Eli Crutchfield DL 10 96 James Washington DE 10 98 Jayden Harris DL 10 99 Cam Barnett DL 10

EDITOR’S 2022 PREDICTION (7-3)

The schedule is by no means easy for the Helena Huskies this year, but it’s more favorable with difficult games spread out. That makes it a lot easier to see them winning at least six games this year. Coming off a year in which they forfeited two games and still finished second in the region by just one game, they’re hungry to prove what can happen if they get to suit up each week. Helena has improved every year under head coach Richie Busby, and it’s tough to not see that trend continuing. They’re a returning running back or receiver short of being a region championship threat going into the season, so if those two positions can step up and prove themselves with some new faces, watch out. Having Mac Turner back to run the offense will be key, while the offensive line will have to grow in a hurry to make them as potent as they can be. The defense, however, returns more than anticipated and makes this year’s team capable of at least seven wins.

Photo by Keith McCoy

well as Kasyn Bustamento, but the Huskies will return Hunter Hale for his junior season. Busby and the coaching staff are excited for his potential after playing last year and having a great summer. However, he is also expected to play defense, so coaches are hoping others will step up at receiver as well. Torrey Ward is a 6-foot-4 wide out who is expected to make an impact as a sophomore, while sophomore Nathan Jones should also have a role. Senior Nathan Wade will also return some experience after suffering an injury last year, while juniors Tripp Bouler and Caleb Haney have worked hard to earn a spot at the position. Sophomore Jarrett Scott is also a receiver to keep an eye on as one of the team’s best young athletes.

OFFENSIVE LINE

What could make this offense scary is the return of three starting offensive linemen, which is a dangerous combination with the run game that returns. Trace Barnett, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior, is expected to anchor the line as a returning starter, while junior Reese Mims and sophomore Grant Vines are both back as starters this season. Beyond those three returning starters, the line will see three other veterans step up. Seniors Jake Julius, Jackson Thomas and Jacorey Sherman will all fill important roles and rotate up front to help complete a very strong unit.

DEFENSIVE LINE

A major focus for Busby this season is the team’s defensive line being able to make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable. This year’s unit will lose guys like Joel Logan and Connor Pugh, who were two of the most productive players on the team a year ago. Those two combined for 160

2021 RESULTS

@ Dallas County W 55-0 Chelsea W 27-14 Wetumpka W 20-10 Benjamin Russell W 32-0 @ Pelham W 37-34 McAdory W 41-35 @ Chilton County W 48-40 Calera W 31-21 @ Stanhope Elmore W 22-15 Bye @ UMS-Wright L 0-31 Baldwin County* L 29-32

*Playoff game

2021 STATS

Offense Total points: 342 Per game: 31.1 County rank: 4

Defense Points allowed: 232 Per game: 21.1 County rank: 5

GOOD LUCK HUSKIES!

Shelbycountyreporter.com

Shelby county football

tackles, 40 tackles for loss and 23 sacks last year. That’s a lot of production to replace up front. That said, two returnees are back on the line this year. Seniors Xavier Guy and Derrick Wilson are both back and will lead the unit. Guy is 5-foot-10, 275 pounds and is expected to be an every-down player, while Wilson stands at 6-foot-1, 305 pounds. Matthew Thompson is also an exciting senior to have back with a frame of 6-foot-4, 230 pounds. He’s expected to have a big season at defensive end, while sophomores Jake Quick, Brett Berry and Caden McClure will all be key on the opposite end of Thompson.

LINEBACKERS

There will be plenty of potential for this year’s group of linebackers, but it could also be one of the biggest concerns on the defense. Nathan Thomason, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior, will handle an outside linebacker position, while senior Mason Johnson is expected to step in and play a big role at middle linebacker. Hughes will also play at the position as a physical athlete, while juniors Eli Ray and Jackson Smith are expected to make a difference for the Huskies.

SECONDARY

Every facet of the defense has potential, but it is the secondary that is the deepest unit. Senior Walter Womack is the leader back at cornerback after playing a lot last year, while sophomore JT Alvis already has a UAB offer and is experienced as well. Junior Eli Ray and sophomore Kevin Pinkard are expected to be the leaders at safety, while Hale will play a nickel position for the Huskies as a two-way player when needed. Fletcher Taylor, Desmond James and Cole Mathis are all juniors who will provide depth at the position as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Austin Lewis will lead the kicking game as a sophomore with a lot of excitement surrounding him, while Hal Landrum will handle the team’s snapping and Haney the team’s holding.