Louisiana Football: Evangel Christian Academy Eagles Preseason Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

Most high school football programs consider an 8-4 season a success, however, Evangel Christian Academy is not most programs. Evangel opened the 2018 season with three straight losses but rallied to win eight out of their last nine games to reach the state semifinals where they lost 56-34 to John Curtis. The Eagles have won 14 state championships since 1993 and are once again reloading their team gearing up to bring another title to west Shreveport.

The Eagles’ Offense

The Eagles scored just under 37 points a game including scoring over 27 points in every district game. The leader of this high-scoring unit is senior quarterback Blake Shapen, who is committed to play both football and baseball at Arizona State University. Two offensive weapons for Evangel and Shapen will be wide receivers Jalen Abraham and Jiren Rattler. Both seniors are over six feet and can also make explosive plays in the return game. Senior Aaron Warren (6-2, 270) will lead the Eagles in the trenches on the offensive line.

The Eagles’ Defense

Last season Evangel once again showed off their defensive prowess as they held opponents to 22 points a game including only letting one district foe over 15 points. The two seniors in the Eagles front seven to watch for this season are linebacker Jax Miller (6-3, 210) and defensive tackle Trey White (6-0, 275). White, a wrecking force against opposing offensive lines, is already drawing college interest and offers. Miller has the size and skill to deliver big hits and blow up plays all over the football field.

The Eagles’ 2019 Schedule

September 6 vs. Magnolia School of Excellence, Evangel Christian Academy

September 13 at Bastrop

September 20 vs. Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, AR), Evangel Christian Academy

September 27 at West Monroe

October 4 vs. Lafayette Christian Academy (Lafayette, LA), Evangel Christian Academy

October 11 vs. Woodlawn-Shreveport, Evangel Christian Academy

October 18 at Northwood

October 25 vs. North DeSoto, Evangel Christian Academy

November 1 at Booker T. Washington

Overview

With a tough non-district slate it will make the jump into a new district easier for this skilled Eagles team. Evangel will once again battle for a district crown and make a deep playoff run as they try to bring back another state championship trophy to their campus.

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Photo credit: The Shreveport Times; Evangel Christian Academy QB Blake Shapen

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