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