By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Editor

ALABASTER — While there weren’t any storm clouds in the area this week, there was plenty of Lightning to be found as the Evangel Christian School football ran past the Central Christian Saints, 40-14, on Sept. 19.

The Lightning came out swinging for their homecoming game, and shut down the Saints to take first place in the ACSC standings. The Lightning wasted no time getting on the board, as Micah Murphy broke a 34-yard run for a touchdown with 10:58 left in the first. Murphy also added the PAT, giving Evangel the 7-0 lead. At the 9:10 mark in the first the Lightning struck again, as Murphy returned a punt 57 yards for a score. The extra point attempt was no good, and Evangel led 13-0.

Central Christian responded with a score of its own, with a 16-yard touchdown run by Jared Farlow. The ensuing two-point try was successful, and Farlow found Bailey Todd to put the Saints on the board down 13-8 with 5:25 left in the first.

Evangel struck next, as Mason Murphy took a 10-yard run in for a score, with Micah Murphy adding the extra point to put Evangel ahead, 20-8, with 8:29 left in the second. The Lightning added another score when Andrew Thompson tossed a 10-yard pass to Brad Baggett for a touchdown after being set up by a Micah Murphy 29-yard punt return. The Micah Murphy extra point attempt was no good, and Evangel led 26-8 with 5:21 left in the half.

With just 23 seconds left in the half, Mason Murphy added a 7-yard touchdown run, set up by a John Will Graham fumble recovery. Micah Murphy tacked on the extra point, and the Lightning took a 33-8 win into the half.

Coming out of the half, Evangel tacked on another touchdown when Andrew Thompson added a 5-yard run for a score, set up by a Jake Byers fumble recovery. Mason Murphy added the extra point to make it a 40-8 contest with 7:29 left in the third.

Central Christian added a score late when Farlow broke a 57-yard run for a touchdown with 2:39 left in the game. The two-point try was no good, and the Lightning left with a 40-14 win.

“This win was all about team,” Evangel head coach Don Murphy said. “Every player contributed, including those that didn’t play, because they helped prepare us in practice this week. We held a team that was averaging over 425 yards a game (on) offense to just 226. A total team effort.”

Mason Murphy led the way rushing, earning two touchdowns on 11 attempts for 69 yards, while Andrew Thompson went 5-for-11 passing for 66 yards and a score. The Lightning travel to Ballard Christian in Auburn on Sept. 26.