By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

Evangel Christian has moved back up to play in 1-5A this season after spending the last five years in 1-4A to give the district nine teams for the first time since 2007-08.

ECA previously spent the 1999-2004 seasons and 2014-08 in 1-5A and won the district with undefeated seasons nine times and finished in a 3-way with for the title in 2015.

The Eagles’ two non-district opponents in 2024 are 4A schools Neville and Lafayette Christian and are the only ones on their schedule that hold a series edge over ECA. Only two of their eight district opponents have won games over the Eagles, Byrd once and Huntington twice.

ECA hosts 2-4A Neville of Monroe in its season opener. The Tigers, who have won the last two seasons in non-district games with the Eagles, hold a 4-1 series advantage.

Evangel goes on the road the second week to open 1-5A play at Natchitoches Central. The Eagles have won all six games in the series.

Byrd will visit Rodney Duron Field the third week of the season. Evangel has won eight of nine meetings between the two.

The Eagles then cross the river to play at Airline. They have won all six games against the Vikings.

Evangel will entertain Huntington in a mid-season clash. The Eagles have a 10-2 series advantage with the Raiders who have won two of the last three.

Captain Shreve hosts Evangel the second week of October at Lee Hedges Stadium. ECA has won all four meetings the two schools have played.

Benton is the first of three straight home games for the Eagles. Again, ECA has won all four previous games.

Haughton is the second of the trio of home games before the only other non-district game on the schedule when Lafayette Christian comes to Rodney Duron Field. Evangel has won all four games with the Bucs but has lost both previous games with LCA.

The Eagles finish the regular season at Parkway. 

2024 Evangel football schedule

Sep. 6               Neville

Sep. 13             at Natchitoches Central

Sep. 20             Byrd

Sep. 27             at Airline

Oct. 4               Huntington

Oct. 10             at Captain Shreve

Oct. 18             Benton

Oct. 25             Haughton

Nov. 1               Lafayette Christian

Nov. 8               at Parkway

 Contact Lee at leeh051@hotmail.com