Evangel Christian defeated Randolph School 38-21 last Friday and will travel to Nashville, Tenn. this Saturday to play for the eight-man Tennessee Valley Football Conference Championship.

The homecoming win over Randolph was icing on the cake for a season that saw the Lightning go 5-3 overall and 3-0 in Southern Division play.

It was also a special night for Scott and Kathy Houser and their son, Jeremy, a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, currently serving in Kuwait.

Houser, a member of the Class of 2005, played football for Evangel. He has served in Lebanon, Pakistan, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, and it is anticipated he will be moved to Iraq.

Shipped out on June 6, he is in an elite weapons company and hopes to move into sniper school.

Fans at the game were asked to sign a message book for Jeremy, who has hopes to be home for Christmas.

Evangel head football coach Bill Snuggs especially praised the play of Kevin Marlowe who had 114 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

He also gave credit to his entire offensive line for

&8220;blowing holes open&8221; for his running backs.

Evangel quarterback Isaac Snuggs completed six of eight passes for 112 yards and one touchdown.

Jacob Snuggs, Lance Hipps and Josh Wheeler all had seven tackles each and Phillip Ketchum had six tackles. Wheeler was credited with 1.5 sacks.

Marlowe scored on runs of 3, 1 and 18 yards. And Hunter Price scored for the Lightning on an 18-yard run.

Isaac Snuggs connected with Jacob Snuggs for 65-yard touchdown pass play.

This Saturday Evangel will travel to Battleground Academy in Nashville to take on the Northern Division Champion Beth Haven of Kentucky for the Conference Championship.