Football Preview: Lighthouse HomeSchool Warriors vs. Evangel Christian Lightning
Lighthouse HomeSchool is 0-10 against Evangel Christian since October of 2016 but things could change on Friday. The Lighthouse HomeSchool Warriors will host the Evangel Christian Lightning at 7:00 p.m. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Lighthouse HomeSchool is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Alabama's top teams: Trinity Christian Homeschool, who was ranked 25th in their home state at the time (Lighthouse HomeSchool was ranked 15th). Lighthouse HomeSchool breezed by Trinity Christian Homeschool at home to the tune of 51-0 last Friday. The win was a breath of fresh air for the Warriors as it put an end to their five-game losing streak dating back to last season.
Lighthouse HomeSchool found their leader in underclassman Joseph Beason, who rushed for 56 yards and two touchdowns. Jaden Cosper was another key player, rushing for 60 yards and a touchdown.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, Lighthouse HomeSchool was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 275 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Evangel Christian). Everything went their way against Ezekiel Academy on Friday as Evangel Christian made off with a 68-42 victory. Winning may never get old, but the Lightning sure are getting used to it with their third in a row.
Evangel Christian can attribute much of their success to Kemp Swords, who threw for 212 yards and five touchdowns while completing 80% of his passes, and Eli Black, who rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns on only five carries. Black also deserves a shoutout for his performance on D, forcing a fumble and making eight total tackles (1.5 for loss). Will Welch was Swords' top target, picking up 91 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Evangel Christian's defensive line stepped up as well, laying out Shaun Taylor. five times. In that department, Reed Castleberry was the leader with 3.5 sacks.
Lighthouse HomeSchool's first win this season bumped their record up to 1-4. As for Evangel Christian, they pushed their record up to 5-1 with the victory, which was their tenth straight at home dating back to last season.
Friday's contest might be decided in the on the ground. Lighthouse HomeSchool has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 182.5 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Evangel Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging 154.5. It's looking like Friday's game might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Lighthouse HomeSchool was dealt a bruising 41-14 loss at the hands of Evangel Christian in their previous matchup back in November of 2023. Will Lighthouse HomeSchool have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more football content.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
