By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

DAYTON, Tenn. — The Evangel Christian Lightning secured a spot in the National Association of Christian Athletes football national championship final by taking down Tri-City Christian (Tenn.), 26-12 in the first round of the NACA playoffs on Nov. 13.

The Lightning opened scoring when Grant Webster punched a 9-yard touchdown run in, and ECS led 7-0 following Dru Bell’s extra point.

Evangel scored again when Andrew Thompson hit Josh Letson from 43 yards out to put the Lightning up 14-0 following Bell’s kick.

Tri-City answered back with a 52-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point was no good, and Evangel led 14-6 headed into the half.

TCC opened scoring for the second half when Evan Blankenship broke a 27-yard run for a touchdown to pull Tri-City within two. The lead remained, however, as TCC missed the two point conversion, to make the score 14-12 in favor of Evangel.

Webster scored his second touchdown of the day on a 20-yard touchdown run, capping a 10-play drive. The extra point was no good, and the Lightning held a 20-12 lead.

Nate Scott put the game on ice with a 52-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, giving Evangel the 26-12 win.

Scott led the team with 180 yards on the ground and the score. Thompson was 5-of-13 passing for 133 yards and a score. Defensively, Pete Sullivan had eight solo tackles and four assists, while Tyler Byrd had six tackles, four assists and a sack.

The Lightning will face The Webb School for the championship on Nov. 15 at noon.