Box Score Kansas City, Mo. – Another Evangel rally fell just short as the Crusaders were stopped on the Avila one-yard line in the closing moments of a 34-27 loss to the Eagles on Saturday in Kansas City.
After trailing 20-0 at halftime, Evangel battled back and got within a touchdown of the lead three different times in the second half. Trailing 34-27, the Crusaders went 79 yards in 1:39 driving to the Eagles one-yard line. In the closing seconds on a 4th and goal from the one, Evangel RB Kelvin Coleman was stopped for no gain giving Avila back the ball and the win.
Coleman rushed for 118 yards on 25 carries while Brock West had a season high 132 yards of rushing on 21 carries for the Crusaders. QB Brett Diers was 14 for 36 for 251 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman WR Dallas Hester had five receptions for 147 yards and a pair of touchdown catches.
Alyn Jackson led Avila with 235 rushing yards on 30 carries and three touchdown runs.
Evangel dropped to 3-7 and 0-4 in the Heart of America conference South Division. It was the fourth time in their last five games the Crusaders have lost by a touchdown or less. Avila improved to 2-8 and 1-3 in the division.
The Crusaders end the 2015 season next Saturday when they host 3rd ranked Baker at JFK Stadium. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. and the team will honor its senior players prior to the game as part of Senior Day next week.
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