By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Hope Christian School Eagles stomped Wiregrass Christian School 60-6 in eight-man football action on Oct. 5.

The Eagles improved to 7-0 with the win, setting up an Oct. 19 matchup with powerhouse Tabernacle Christian School of Gardendale.

Hope recorded 461 total offensive yards during the victory, 306 of which were passing.

Defensive standouts were seniors Josh Clevenger and Andrew Whitson.

Senior Charles Streets finished the night with a career-high 146 receiving yards. Junior Jacob Evans also played a key part in the victory, HCS head coach Tony Nafe said.

“Wiregrass had some key injuries, and we had a few of our starters out with injuries,” Nafe said. “Our backup players played very well tonight.

“Our team is really gelled at this point,” Nafe added. “This may be the best team Hope has ever had.”

The Eagles scored three touchdowns in the first quarter: One on an 18-yard pass from Dillon Thompson to Immanuel Drew, one on a 42-yard pass from Thompson to Fuqua Cannon and another on a 12-yard run by Reid Allen.

In the second quarter, Hope scored on a 20-yard pass from Thompson to Evans, another on a 38-yard pass from Thompson to Allen and again on a 36-yard pass from Allen to Clevenger.

In the third quarter, Hope scored on two passes from Thompson to Streets.

The fourth quarter saw Hope extend its lead on a 34-yard pass from Thompson to Evans.

“Tabernacle is number-one in the state right now,” Nafe said. “We will spend the next two weeks preparing for them.”