High School Football Preview: Evangel Christian
The Evangel Christian football team stands two years removed from an 8-man state championship. Last year, they lost in the semifinals. And that’s only made the Lightning hungrier going into next season under fourth-year head coach Darius Dixon.
“The year before, with us being in the state championship and of course winning,” Tobiyas McLemore, a senior wide receiver and defensive back said, “then we lose in the game right before it, it definitely hurt. Some people went down, but that’s no excuse. We’re going to come back and do what we’re supposed to do this year.”
The Lightning will have to replace several players, which Dixon said is a big deal in eight-man football.
“I believe last year we lost a total of like three seniors that helped out on the field,” he said. “But we brought some guys in, and some guys are stepping up on the field as well. Had a lot of young guys on the field last year, so expecting some more big things out of them.”
Kerrington Smith-Lawson, a senior who plays defensive back, linebacker and defensive end said one thing that makes the team great is that they hold each other accountable. They uplift each other so they can reach their goals, especially for those who are seniors.
“This is our last season,” Smith-Lawson said, “so we’re really working hard to get a ring.”
