By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Hope Christian School Eagles racked up 505 offensive yards during a 59-14 win over North River Christian on Aug. 29, improving to 3-0 on the season.

“I was excited to find out the depth we have. I’m very excited about the depth of the talent on this team,” Hope head coach Tony Nafe said. “It’s going to be a great season.”

Nafe said several Eagles were facing a range of injuries leading up to the game, but said the squad’s younger players stepped up to fill the roles.

Hope’s Dylan Thompson opened up scoring for the Eagles, running 16 yards for a touchdown followed by a Cannon Fuqua PAT. Thompson also added touchdown runs of 2 yards and 65 yards in the first quarter, both of which were followed by 2-poont conversion passes from Thompson to Cameron Barnett.

In the second quarter, Fuqua connected with Thompson on touchdown passes of 50-yards and 43 yards. Thompson also returned a kickoff 71 yards for a touchdown, which was followed by a 2-point conversion run by Zach Gramstad.

Collin Kirkpatrick connected with Juan Cuellar on a 6-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Cuellar added a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, which was followed by a 2-point conversion pass from Kirkpatrick to Tyler Hubbard.

Nafe named Fuqua and Thompson as offensive standouts, and praised Josiah Drew, Barnett and Joseph Patton for their defensive efforts in the win.