By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Considering the pregame buildup, the obvious collision of what many consider the two best teams in Shreveport-Bossier, and the reward of having a huge District 1-5A W on the wall, last Friday’s Evangel-Airline meeting may well wind up being the game of the year locally.
It may not. There is a lot of season left and no shortage of capable teams and dynamic players.
But the statement the Eagles made in rallying past the Vikings 51-49 is certainly enough to earn Evangel the Week 5 Shreveport-Bossier Journal Team of the Week label.
There’s no surprise factor that Evangel has emerged in any conversation about the best teams around here, in north Louisiana, and perhaps even statewide. Some preseason observers ranked ECA in a mythical all-classifications state top 20 based on returning talent combined with the savvy leadership of Pastor/coach Denny Duron.
They’re a one-point loss at perennial power Neville away from a 4-0 record that would certainly have the Eagles smack dab in the middle of the LSWA’s Class 5A Top 10 poll.
Evangel is built around the prodigious talent of Class of 2027 LSU commitment Peyton “Pop” Houston at quarterback, but he’s got plenty of help. That gave the Eagles the edge needed to come back from a two-TD deficit and become the first district team since late in the 2023 season to top Airline.
“I can’t say enough for people coming in and making big plays,” said Duron.
It happened up front with an offensive line that created room for Damari “Dae-Dae” Drake to rumble, and gave Houston enough protection most of the night from a ferocious Vikings pass rush. It happened on defense, where returning All-State linebacker Drake was a menacing presence, and where the game’s pivotal play unfolded – a “Peanut punch” fumble forced by Nick Lopez on the goalline, picked up and returned 99 yards for a touchdown by Jayden Hicks.
Even though Houston was intercepted a career-worst three times, including a first-quarter pick six, the Eagles didn’t falter.
“It’s great. It takes a lot of pressure off,” said Houston. “At the end of the day, it’s always a team thing. I know I hurt them a lot but this team just kept finding ways to stay together.”
Duron pointed to Houston’s brilliance despite the three INTs. Otherwise, he was 17 of 22 for 427 yards and three touchdowns.
“I know they intercepted Pop three times but every one of the passes was the attempt of a guy with the heart of a lion to make a big play. When you’re trying to make big plays, you’re going to have some (bad) moments,” said Duron. “Overall, he played out of his mind. It was wonderful.”
Houston said the players around him made all the difference – especially the Eagles’ flock of receivers.
“Those guys have the speed, the hands, the knowledge of the game, and the work we put in, there’s no better place than Evangel to pass the ball with a bunch of receivers like Johnny Casey, ‘Poo’ (Seth Collins), Demarkus (Evans) and Charley Abraham, all those guys,” he said. “They make my job a lot easier. All I have to do is get them the ball in space and they will do what they do.”
Duron had praise for the Eagles on the other side of the ball, and his coaching staff.
“Our defense played much, much better than the score indicates, because of turnovers and other things that put them in tough spots.
“I’m so proud of every one of these kids, and every one of our coaches. They put the game plans together, the intricasies of how we’re going to attack, what we’re going to do strategically. They’re learners, they’re always interested in growing, they’re very knowledgeable. They coached their hearts out tonight,” he said.
For all of the splash plays made by Houston and the receivers, and the game-changing turnover for a TD, the most compelling performance last Friday may have been by Drake, said his quarterback.
“It’s not enough things I can say about Dae-Dae. He’s making plays on both sides of the ball. He’s a dude,” said Houston. “He comes on the field tired and still produces. He’s a great player. I love him.”
As for Drake, he’ll tell you about all the offseason and summer workouts that have molded the tough mentality of this Eagles team – one determined to get the local area’s most accomplished program of the last quarter-century plus back to elite status.
Wins like last Friday’s are products of a united effort, steered by Duron and cheered, encouraged and nurtured by former players.
“We’re still Evangel at the end of the day,” Drake said.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com