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Evangel claimed its third-straight ACSC Championship after the Lightning fought through a tight opening half to pull away to a commanding lead after halftime and defeat East Central. (For the Reporter/Reagan Hopper)

By CHRIS MEGGINSON | Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – Another year, another title for Evangel Christian School.

The Lightning responded to a 32-30 first half by out-scoring East Central, 45-13 in the second half to defeat the Patriots, 77-43, in the Alabama Christian School Conference (ACSC) 8-man football state championship game on Nov. 8 at Clayton O’Neal Field.

It is the 38th consecutive 8-man football win for Evangel (10-2), which finished the season 8-0 in 8-man and 2-2 in 11-man football.

“It’s a big win. Another championship. I’m thankful. God’s been good to us,” Evangel head coach Tim Smith said. “I’m so proud. They were resilient this year. With all we’ve been through and all of the injuries, they kept finding a way to fight. It’s a special little group …These kids have held the rope. They didn’t want to be the group to let it down. They got challenged tonight and fought back and found a way to win.”

Eli Black opened the scoring for the night with a 3-yard touchdown run in the first four minutes. Will Welch then punched in the first of seven 2-point plays for the Lightning.

After allowing a touchdown to East Central, Welch then returned the kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown. Kemp Swords’ 2-point conversion gave Evangel its first double-digit lead, 16-6.

Swords then ran in a touchdown and 2-point play to lead 24-6 with less than a minute remaining in the first quarter.

The Patriots evened the score, but Swords broke a 28-yard touchdown run up the middle with 1:06 to play to make it 32-24 Evangel at the half. Welch scored the 2-point run.

East Central answered with a fourth-and-goal touchdown pass from the 7. Swords stepped up to break up the 2-point pass attempt with 14 seconds left in the half to keep Evangel in front at the half, 32-30.

The second half was all Lightning. Swords threw two touchdown passes to Welch before the first Patriots’ touchdown. Swords then ran in another score. He converted two of the two-point plays, while Welch had the other.

A safety in favor of Evangel gave the Lightning a 58-36 lead entering the fourth quarter.

“They had a really good game plan. They got the ball and kept the clock moving in the second quarter,” Smith said. “I think we tackled better in the second half. We made a few minor adjustments on the things they were doing to hurt us. On offense we kept doing what we were doing”

Swords ran in two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and Black added one.

Welch was named the Championship Game MVP after catching four passes for 104 yards, rushing the ball for 32 and adding the 75-yard return touchdown run. Swords, who was named the 2024 ACSC Mr. Football, rushed for 142 yards and completed 9-of-12 passes for 200 yards.

ACSC All-Conference selections Reed Castleberry and Eli Black each had 12 tackles to lead Evangel. Other All-Conference selections were Ethan Stallings, Paul Dixon, Ben Davis, Emerson Dollins and Welch. Jake Parker was named to the Doug Harrison Christian Character team.

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