If you were Evangel’s Aiden Carter, you would be a very, very tired young man on Saturday morning. That’s the way it is week after week each fall for the multi-talented junior who rarely leaves the football field while making plays that bring Eagle fans to their feet.
Against Byrd on Friday (Oct. 23) night, Carter was the deep man on kickoffs, made several outstanding receptions from freshman quarterback Briggs Berlin and picked off a pass late in the first half to stop a potential Byrd scoring drive. All in a night’s work when you’re playing 5A football with a roster that’s more like 2A in size.
“Aiden Carter is the type player every successful program needs,” Evangel coach Denny Duron said. “While he could receive plenty of recognition for what he brings to the game of football, it’s the things he does behind the scenes that truly set him apart.”
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Unfortunately for Carter, his effort was in a losing cause as Byrd (1-7) won its first game of the season 28-24 thanks to two 46-yard fourth quarter TD runs by Byrd record-holder Christian Maxie.
According to the ECA coaches, Carter leads by example on a daily basis while holding himself and teammates accountable to the standards established in the program.
“Aiden is constantly pushing those around him to be better. His leadership is not about attention or recognition — it is about doing what is right and putting the team first,” Duron said.
Carter, the eldest son of Evangel assistant coach Fabian Carter, has been known to stay late to turn off the lights after his teammates have departed. He’ll go out of his way to pick up other football players who need a lift. He’s even picked up trash without being asked to do so.
“He is usually one of the first players in every meeting and one of the last people to leave campus,” Duron said. “Those small actions may not always show up on a stat sheet, but they are the foundation of a great team. Aiden’s commitment, character and willingness to serve others make him one of the most valuable members of our program. He represents the culture we strive to build and is a true example of what it means to be a leader.”
A three-year starter at safety, the 5-foot-11, 203-pound Carter has been a defensive leader for the Eagles since he arrived on campus. Last season, he recorded 55 tackles, including 26 solo, with an interception. His experience, consistency and understanding of the game make him the go-to person for the defense.
“Aiden’s football IQ is exceptional, allowing him to quickly recognize formations, understand offensive tendencies, and put himself and his teammates in the right position to make plays,” Duron said. “His leadership, experience, and knowledge of the game will be a major asset as we continue to build one of the top defensive units throughout 2026.”
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Evangel’s Aiden Carter is a Swiss Army Knife for the Eagles