Lightning still rolling at a perfect 3-0

Published 3:01 am Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Evangel Lightning jumped out to a 30-0 first-quarter lead Friday night and never looked back en route to a dominating win over Tri-County, 54-6.

The Lightning (3-0) relied on a strong rushing attack behind Hunter Burridge and a stingy defense to take the lopsided victory.

Evangel managed 216 yards of offense, 42 through the air and 174 on the ground, while holding Tri-County to zero total rushing yards and 61 yards passing.

“I didn’t even realize that,” Evangel head coach Steve Dean said about his team holding Tri-County to zero yards rushing. “No kidding.”

“That is the best we’ve played up front all year,” he added.

Offensively, Burridge averaged 16.7 yards per carry on seven carries for 117 yards and three touchdowns. Collin Hipps was the Lightning’s leading receiver, hauling in two passes for 22 yards, both for touchdowns.

Hipps also had a standout night on defense, finishing with 10 tackles, five for loss, and three sacks. Luke Webb also had eight tackles on the night.

Unfortunately for the Lightning, starting quarterback Henry Foster left the game with an injured thumb.

“We’re just going to pray for the best,” Dean said of Foster’s injury.

The Lightning return to the gridiron Friday as they host to Lafayette Christian of Lagrange, Ga.