The Basics
Final: No. 6 Baker 34, Evangel 21
Records: Evangel (4-4, 1-1); Baker (7-1, 2-0)
Site: Eagle Stadium

Final Statistics

NIXA, Mo. – No. 6 Baker used a strong second half from its defense and a clutch performance by quarterback Marco Aguinaga to pull out a 34-21 Heart Conference victory over Evangel on a rain-soaked homecoming at Eagle Stadium Saturday afternoon.

After persistent heavy rainfall and lightning delayed kickoff by nearly three hours, the two clubs combined for a highlight-filled, back-and-forth first half that featured nearly 400 combined yards and 42 points. It would be the Wildcats' defense that took center stage over the final 30 minutes to tip the scales in BU's favor, however. Baker limited the EU offense to just 99 second-half yards while forcing five turnovers, four of which occurred after intermission.

Aguinaga provided a lift for the BU offense, throwing for five touchdowns, including the go-ahead 41-yard scoring strike to Kwan Brooks less than three minutes into the third period. The senior put the game on ice with 1:10 to play, hooking up with tight end AJ Totta for the duo's second scoring pass of the afternoon that stretched the BU advantage to double digits.

Evangel matched Baker's high-powered offense in the opening half, relying on the passing of Dyllan Decker to take a 21-14 lead into the final minute of the second quarter. Decker found Joshua Tips on a nine-yard touchdown on the Valor's opening drive of the game, then connected with Josh Dennie for another nine-yard scoring pass just seconds into the second period.

But Baker rallied behind Aguinaga and a ground attack that produced 115 rushing yards in the half and 206 for the afternoon. Darian Lewis reeled in Aguinaga's first TD pass of the day late in the first quarter, before Totta grabbed an eight-yarder to level the score at 14-14 midway through the second.

The Evangel defense turned in a big play of its own late in the half when Nate Swofford stepped in front of an Aguinaga pass at the BU 44 and returned the interception for a momentum-swinging touchdown with just 2:41 to play before the break.

The Wildcats responded with a crucial scoring drive that kicked off a sequence that would see them score the tying and go-ahead touchdowns over a five-and-a-half minute stretch. First, Aguinaga completed a 14-play, 65-yard drive by finding Lewis open in the end zone for a two-yard touchdown as time expired in the half. BU would only need four plays on its initial drive of the third period, as JD Woods broke off a 15-yard rush, before Aguinaga threaded a 41-yard strike to Brooks to put the Wildcats in front to stay.

The Valor offense struggled to duplicate its first-half fireworks, with BU's Mitchell Henry intercepting Decker at the BU 9 to half a promising drive that would have answered the Wildcats' opening scoring drive of the third.

Baker's defense saved its best for last, locking down the EU attack in the fourth quarter to seal the outcome. After totaling 92 yards on its first two drives of the second half the Valor offense would be held to a net total of zero yards the rest of the way. The Wildcats picked off Decker on three of EU's final four possessions of the game.

In addition to the passing of Aguinaga, BU rode a 123-yard rushing effort by Woods to its second-straight Heart Conference win to open divisional play.

Decker led Evangel with 42 rushing yards in addition to his 219 passing yards and two touchdowns. Dillon Hester paced the Valor receiving corps for the sixth time in eight games, finishing with six receptions for 62 yards.

Ian Ary registered a career day for the EU defense, totaling 17 tackles, including seven solo stops—both representing game-high totals.

UP NEXT
Evangel will travel to Olathe, Kan., next Saturday (Oct. 30) for a 1 p.m., Heart Conference contest against MidAmerica Nazarene at the Olathe District Activity Center (ODAC).

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