By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

FRANKLIN, TENN.- In the first game of the young season for the Evangel Christian Lightning from Alabaster, they traveled to Franklin, Tenn. to take on Franklin Christian Academy. Evangel could not stop the Falcons’ offense, and lost the game 40-20.

This was junior Micah Murphy’s first game at quarterback, and he had an impressive performance in all facets of the game. Murphy completed just five of 14 pass attempts for 126 yards and a touchdown, although most of those yards came on one, 73-yard completion. Brad Baggett, Murphy’s classmate, was on the receiving end of the 73-yard strike. Murphy did most of his damage with his feet however, rushing for 190 yards on 15 carries. He also returned three kicks for 118 yards, bringing his total yardage for the game to 434.

Evangel scored in the opening quarter, and Hahn Hahn Lau punched in the two-point conversion to give the Lightning eight first quarter points. Franklin Christian racked up 14 in the first however, then added 18 more in the second quarter to open up a 32-14 lead at the half, as Evangel punched in another score as well before the half.

Evangel held the Falcons scoreless in the third quarter while tacking on another touchdown, but failed to tack on the conversion. At the end of the third the score was still in Franklin Christian’s favor at 32-20. Eight fourth quarter points by the Falcons put the game out of reach for Evangel, and the Lightning dropped just the third game under head coach Don Murphy.

Murphy led the way with his 434 all-purpose yards while Baggett racked up 96. Cameron Kimbrell led the way for the Lightning defensively with 11 tackles, which included five tackles for loss and seven solo tackles. Murphy was second on the team in tackles with 8.

Evangel will host Victory Christian on Aug. 21 as it looks to get back on track early in the season.