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Evangel dispatched previously undefeated East Central behind a 37-point first quarter to wrap up the No. 1 seed in the ACSC playoffs. (For the Reporter/Reagan Hopper)

By CHRIS MEGGINSON | Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – Facing an undefeated opponent in the final regular season game, Evangel Christian School clinched the top spot in the Alabama Christian School Conference playoffs with authority Friday night, Oct. 18, smashing East Central Academy like a pumpkin, 57-25.

The Lighting scored all of their points in the first half, including a 37-6 first quarter.

“I’m so proud of my kids for what we’ve been through this year with the injuries that we’ve had and all of the travel, and to end up as the one-seed in what I think is the best 8-man league around,” said Tim Smith, ECS head coach.

Kemp Swords collected 238 yards on offense, completing all eight of his pass attempts for 208 yards and rushing for 30 yards. Swords’ first three passes were touchdowns of 45, 62 and 57 yards. Ben Davis caught the first two and Will Welch received the third. Davis finished the night with 126 yards on three catches.

“We’ve been watching him (Ben Davis) grow up,” Smith said. “He’s just a sophomore. He’s ended up being a big part of what we do. He’s a good compliment to Will on the other side of the ball. He’s really stepped up.”

Swords’ first touchdown pass was followed by him returning a 14-yard pick-six interception on defense for a 14-0 lead. Eli Black ran in the 2-point conversion.

East Central recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, but Swords and Davis connected, and then Welch scored the next two touchdowns for ECS with a 5-yard run and the 57-yard reception. He also had a 2-point reception.

The Patriots’ first offensive touchdown came early in the second quarter, but Evangel responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by Nick Cloud, a 2-yard Swords-to-Welch touchdown and a 58-yard punt return by Welch.

East Central added a touchdown in the third and fourth quarters.

Reed Castleberry led the defense with eight tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups, while Black had six tackles.

Ethan Stallings, Aree Harris and Paul Dixon each had four stops, and Andrew Dobbins joined Cloud with three tackles. Welch and Wyatt Chandler also had an interception.

Evangel (8-2) finishes 4-0 in the ASCS and will have a week off before hosting Ezekiel Academy in the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 1. Southern Christian will travel to East Central in Pinson. The two winners will meet for the ACSC title on Nov. 8.

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