MICKEL PONTHIEUX / Sports Reporter

The Evangel Christian Lightning turned two Mason Murphy interceptions into touchdowns in a 38-8 rout of the Evangel Family Christian Academy Saints on Friday, Sept. 7 in their conference opener.

“They played with a lot if intensity after being beat last week,” said Evangel head coach Del Clayton. “We controlled the line of scrimmage both ways and that something we worked to do all week.”

The win came one week after Evangel lost to Tabernacle Christian 26-20 on their home field.

The Lightning (2-1) opened the scoring on a Nate Scott 35-yard touchdown run that was followed by Dru Bell’s PAT for a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.

Murphy picked off his first interception to set up an Andrew Thompson 16-yard pass to Caleb Hoge. Bell added the extra point to give Evangel a 14–0 lead just 15 seconds into the second quarter.

“The defense played really strong all night long,” Clayton said.

The Lightning struck again just two minutes later when Scott scored his second touchdown of the game, this time from 13 yards out. Bell converted on the point after touchdown to extend the Evangel lead to 21-0.

Scott finished the game with 51 yards and two scores in his first game back from an injury.

Evangel took a 28-0 lead into the halftime break when Brandon Montgomery scored on a 6-yard run with Bell adding the PAT.

Bell started the scoring for the Lightning in the third converting on a 29-yard field goal. Bell converted on 5-of-5 extra point attempts with the field goal.

“It was a solid performance on both sides of the ball,” said Clayton on the execution of the game plan by the Lightning. “We were able to clear the bench in the second half and those guys that don’t get a lot of playing time got significant time tonight.

“They did a good job in the second half.”

Thompson added a rushing touchdown with 6:28 left in the third to put the Lightning ahead 38-0.

Evangel Family Christian scored their only touchdown with 5:52 remaining in the game on a 4-yard run by Josiah Smith. Smith rushed for the two-point conversion for the final 38-8 score.

Murphy led Evangel with 56 yards on 3-of-5 passing.

Evangel finished with 232 yards of total offense including 160 yards on the ground.

The Lightning defense allowed just 196 yards. Grant Webster led Evangel with four tackles, one pass deflection, and an interception.

Evangel Christian returns to action on Friday, Sept. 14 when they travel to Hope Christian who was idle.