Four Tabernacle Standouts Earn All-Conference Football Honors
Gardendale, AL – Four Tabernacle Christian School standouts have been recognized for their exceptional performances during the 2023 Christian Football Association (CFA) football season. Senior Reed Chase, senior Josiah Jones, junior Kyle Gillis, and junior Alex Tank earned All-Conference honors following the CFA title game Friday night in Cottondale.
Leading the charge on defense, Reed Chase proved to be a force to be reckoned with as he claimed the title of All-Conference Middle Linebacker. Despite battling injuries throughout the season, Chase showcased his resilience and determination by recording 26 tackles and a sack. Not limited to his defensive side of the ball, Chase also made significant contributions on the offense for the Torches. He rushed for 199 yards on 41 attempts, caught 11 passes for 133 yards, and completed 7-of-10 passes for 58 yards. His efforts resulted in four touchdowns and accounted for 24 two-point conversions. As a testament to his exceptional leadership, skill and dedication on the gridiron, Chase has been selected to represent the Torches in this year’s Gatlinburg All-American Bowl.
Josiah Jones, a senior running back, displayed his versatility and skill set throughout the season for head coach Clint Chase’s Torches. Jones managed to accumulate 259 rushing yards on 77 attempts, while also showcasing his receiving abilities by catching 16 passes for 215 yards. Additionally, he completed 3-of-8 pass attempts for 37 yards. With five touchdowns and 12 two-point conversions, Jones was a key contributor for Tabernacle on both sides of the ball. On defense, he made an impressive 30 stops, including five tackles for loss.
Junior Alex Tank proved to be an imposing force on the defensive line for the Torches. Throughout his junior season, Tank showcased his disruptive style of play, accumulating 36 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery. His relentless pursuit of the ball and ability to disrupt opposing offenses played a crucial role for Tabernacle throughout the season.
Completing the quartet of Torches, standout junior Kyle Gillis had a breakout season on both sides of the ball. As a defensive back, Gillis recorded an impressive 54 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and snagged a pair of interceptions. He also displayed his speed and agility on special teams by returning six kickoffs for 79 yards, averaging 13.2 yards per return. On offense, Gillis proved to be a reliable receiver, amassing 236 yards and four touchdowns on 13 catches. In the ground game, he contributed 37 yards on 13 carries.
The exceptional performances of Reed Chase, Josiah Jones, Kyle Gillis, and Alex Tank not only earned individual accolades but helped set the stage for future Torches success on the gridiron.
