Louisiana: Evangel Christian Academy 2015 Football Season Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Head Coach: Byron Dawson
Mascot: Eagles
District: 1-5A
2014: 8-4
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana

Overview
A change in Louisiana high school football is coming. Evangel has been moved to classification 5A for the first time since 2004 promising to bring greater gridiron clashes for years to come. The Eagles have earned a reputation of being perennial championship contenders as they have either won a state title or lost to John Curtis in the playoffs every season over the last 11 years. Can the Eagles maintain this dominating position in 5A?

In 2014, Evangel opened 1-3 and then won seven games a row before losing a nail-biter to John Curtis in the second round of the playoffs, 13-7. The Eagles have the talent and experience to make another state championship in 2015. Evangel opens the season on Sept. 5 when they host two-time defending Pennsylvania Class 4A state champions St. Joseph’s Prep. Another big game for the Eagles is when they play Warren Easton on Sept. 12 in “The Battle on the Border” event in Shreveport.

Offense
The Eagles scored 32 points a game in 2014 but only return a handful of starters. Junior Connor Curry will once again lead this team. The 6’2”, 180 pound, quarterback had an impressive sophomore season throwing for 1,792 yards and 22 touchdowns. Curry also ran for 251 yards and another touchdown.

The leading returning running back is senior Jamarqueza Mims, who ran for 483 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago. Wide receiver Corey Henderson (6’1”, 170), a Tennessee commit, is back for his senior season. Henderson had 700 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns earning a second-team All-District selection in 2014.

The most inexperienced part of Evangel’s offense will be their offensive line who is led by 6’2”, 275 pound, senior Carson Foulk.

Defense
Evangel gave up just under 18 points a game in 2014 but unfortunately the Eagles only return four defensive starters. One returning star is junior cornerback Orlando Puryear. The 5’9”, 165 pound, speedster was selected second-team All-District last season. Junior Gaston Richardson (6’0”, 183) spent time at safety and linebacker last year and should be a primary contributor to the Eagles defense in 2015.

Two key parts of the defensive line are expected to be 6’0”, 205 pound, junior Aaron Calcote and 6’3”, 290 pound, sophomore Davin Cotton. The leader of the linebackers is senior A.C. Gilliam.

Schedule
9/5 St. Joseph Prep (PA)
9/12 Warren Easton
9/18 Idabel (OK)
9/25 Parkway
10/2 LaGrange
10/9 Southwood
10/15 at Captain Shreve
10/23 Airline
10/30 at Haughton
11/5 at Byrd

Photo credit: shreveporttimes.com; No. 11 Connor Curry
Photo credit: shreveportitmes.com; No. 3 Corey Henderson