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Evangel downed the Freedom Cowboys in its first 8-man home game of the season after scoring 18 unanswered points in the third quarter in the Lightning’s final game before ACSC play. (For the Reporter/Reagan Hopper)

By CHRIS MEGGINSON | Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – Back in their element, Evangel Christian School defeated Freedom Academy, 52-42, in the Lightning’s first 8-man home game of the season at Clayton-O’Neal Field on Friday.

“It was nice to get back to the complex. The kids love playing there,” Evangel coach Tim Smith said. “They played a great game. It’s tough to flip it back over from 11-man to 8-man. I think it hurts you more defensively than offensively to tell you the truth. Playing 11-man games helped us win tonight though, because we were able to get some depth. All of those kids who grew up in 11-man got to play tonight.”

Freedom took an early 14-0 lead, but the Lighting struck back with a 15-yard touchdown run by Kemp Swords. Nick Cloud added a 2-point conversion and then tied the game with a 16-yard touchdown run. Cloud’s touchdown was set up by the first of two successful onside kicks by Christopher Staniscavage.

Swords briefly gave Evangel the lead, 20-14, on a 2-yard touchdown pass to Will Welch, but the Cowboys scored twice to lead 28-20 at halftime.

The Lightning shut out Freedom, 18-0, in the third quarter. Swords connected with Welch on a 10-yard touchdown and then regained the lead with a 47-yard touchdown pass to Cade Joiner. Welch added a safety.

The Cowboys scored first in the fourth quarter, but Swords helped maintain the Lightning’s lead with a 10-yard touchdown run and 2-point pass to Ben Davis, followed by a 7-yard TD to Welch.

Freedom returned the Evangel kickoff for a touchdown to shorten the final margin to 10 points.

Kemp had more than 200 yards total offense with 73 yards and two touchdowns rushing to go along with 12-of-26 passing for 132 yards and four touchdowns. Joiner finished the night with 93 yards on 10 receptions.

Eli Black and Reed Castleberry led the defense with nine and seven tackles, respectively.

Evangel (4-1) will remain home on Sept. 20 to host Ezekiel Academy in the first Alabama Christian Sports Conference game of the season.

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