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Seven total touchdowns from Kemp Swords and three from Eli Black powered Evangel to a rivalry win over Ezekiel in the ACSC opener. (For the Reporter/Reagan Hopper)

By CHRIS MEGGINSON | Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – Sophomore Eli Black recorded his first career 100-yard rushing performance as he helped lead Evangel Christian School to a 68-42 victory over Ezekiel Academy to open Alabama Christian School Conference play Sept. 20.

Black rushed for 128 yards on five carries and three touchdowns, while Kemp Swords completed 12-of-15 passes for 212 yards, including five touchdowns. Swords also scored twice on the ground.

“It’s a good way to get our conference started,” Evangel coach Tim Smith said. “We’re just trying to get better every week. We got to play a lot of kids tonight and a lot of minutes that meant something. We had four kids out tonight. It’s a challenge, but they answered it.”

Swords and Black scored the first two touchdowns of the game before Ezekiel found the end zone on a 50-yard run by Branden Davis. Black answered with a 36-yard touchdown. Ezekiel returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for a score, but Swords found Will Welch on a 22-yard pass to lead 29-12 after the first quarter.

Evangel extended the lead to 49-20 at the half with Swords running in one touchdown and throwing a pair to Welch, including a 44-yard strike in the second quarter. A 55-yard touchdown pass from Swords to Ben Davis and then a 14-yard pass to Christopher Staniscavage made it 62-20.

Ezekiel running back Branden Davis added two more touchdowns on Evangel’s second string to pull within 26 points, 62-36, but Black tacked on a 41-yard touchdown to ice the game. Ezekiel added another score late.

The Lightning opened the game with a 29-12 lead after one quarter and lead 49-20 at the half. After scoring 13 more points in the third quarter to lead 62-28, the Lightning slowed its offense in the final 12 minutes.

“He played lights out. He could have had a lot more,” Smith said of Black’s performance behind the offensive line. “Our offensive line has gotten better every week. We have a good rotation. It’s hard to tell when someone is out now because the guys have stepped up.”

Welch finished with 91 yards and three touchdowns on five receptions, while Davis had four catches for 70 yards. Black also led the defense with eight tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble. Reed Castleberry had six tackles.

Evangel (5-1, 1-0 ACSC) will travel to Lighthouse Home School in Oneonta on Friday, Sept. 27.

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