Fayette, Mo. – Evangel rallied from a 21-0 halftime deficit to take a fourth quarter lead only to have Central Methodist score a go-ahead touchdown with 5:33 left to beat the Crusaders 34-28 Saturday in Fayette, Missouri. 

Evangel never led until the fourth quarter when quarterback Bo Dean threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to Ryan Elliott with 12:52 left in the game giving the Crusaders a 28-24 lead. 

Central Methodist reclaimed the lead for good and salvaged the win after Eagles QB Caleb Bedford hit Jamall Williams in the end zone for a six yard TD making the score 31-28. 

Central Methodist added 37 yard field goal from Luke Longstreet, his longest of the year, with 1:44 left to add to their lead. 

Evangel drove to the Eagles 25 yard line in the closing moments but had a pass intercepted at Central Methodist one-yard line on a 4th and 20 play in the game's final seconds that effectively ended the contest. 

The Crusaders comeback started 52 seconds into second half when freshman safety Shelby Barton ran back an interception 18 yards putting Evangel on the board as they trailed 21-7. 

After Central Methodist countered with a field goal, the Crusaders pulled within 10 points of the lead when freshman receiver Dallas Hester hauled in a 55 yard pass for touchdown. 

Late in the third quarter, Evangel got within three when running back Brock West broke free for a 56 yard run and the Crusaders trailed 24-21 after three quarters. 

Hester led the Evangel offense with six receptions, 97 yards and a touchdown. Devon Overall had 11 tackles while Terrion Johnson had 10 tackles, three tackles for losses and two sacks. 

Eagles' running back Tyler Steinkamp rushed for 130 yards while Williams caught three touchdown passes and had 65 receiving yards. 

Evangel dropped to 3-5 and 0-2 in the Heart of America conference's Southern Division. Central Methodist improved to 3-5 and 1-1 in the division. 

The Crusaders return home next Saturday hosting Missouri Valley. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. at JFK Stadium.

###