Talkin’ Hope

Nearing its first season, Hope Christian looks to bring spread football, Friday Night Lights on the south side of I-20 in Calhoun County.

Editor’s note: This is the first installment of Talkin’ Football 2025. East Alabama Sports Today editor Joe Medley will do on-campus interviews at all football-playing schools in Calhoun County. The package will include a video interview, interesting facts and Joe’s take for EA+ subscribers. Today’s visit: the Hope Christian Saints.

OXFORD — Folks in faith-centered institutions have an eye for signs, and those who brought Hope Christian football to life see reason for, well, hope.

The Saints’ first season of 11-man Alabama Independent Schools Association football will start Aug. 22, three years into what was a five-year plan.

Hope will play its first four games and five of its first six at home. 

The Lord provided a head coach and athletics director with a background as a recent-former college football player whose education centered on sports management.

Add a 28-man roster that’s bigger than those of some Class 1A AHSAA schools, and it sure seems Hope Christian was dealt a strong hand with which to break the banner and take the field.

Hope, indeed, has reason to hope for growing something. Maybe sooner than later for a 3-year-old school that has grown to 200 students with a new building to hold more coming.

The rest of Joe’s take, a video interview with Hope coach Chris Stone and interesting facts about the Saints are available for EA+ subscribers.