SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor football team begins its final trek through the conference schedule on Saturday against Missouri Valley. The Valor and the Vikings have one of the longest-tenured rivalries in Evangel football history, as Saturday will mark the 39th meeting between the two schools for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Eagle Stadium.
SERIES HISTORY
Evangel trails the all-time series with Missouri Valley 21-17; however, the Valor has won the last five meetings. The five-game win streak is the longest for Evangel during the series with the Vikings, including wins in 2020 and 2021 in Marshall.
OPENING STORYLINES
? Before the bye week, Evangel posted its second shutout of the season, 28-0, on the road at Peru State. For the defense, it ties a school record for shutouts in a season as the elusive third shutout is missing in the Evangel's 46-year football history. The Valor has shut out the Vikings twice in the series history, with the latest coming in 2017 when EU took a 21-0 victory in Ozark.
? Athanie Leeviraphan added to his interception total with his fourth pick of the season. Leeviraphan sits at 13 interceptions during his career, ranking fourth in a tie with Rodney Burns (1990-93). Eric Collins (1977-80) holds the all-time record with 16.
? Will Anoa'i now ranks third all-time in tackles for a loss with 42.5. The former Kickapoo Chief sits behind Sam Morton's second-place mark of 43.0, while Josh Evans (2014-17) holds the record with 64.5.
? Sammy Robinson has helped lead the Evangel rushing attack as he ranks fourth in the Heart Conference in yards per game. Robinson and the EU ground game struggled vs the Vikings last week with just 16 total yards.
? Evangel and Missouri Valley both sit neck and neck in nearly every statistical category in the Heart of America. The most significant differential comes on the defensive side of the ball as the Valor allows just 18.6 points per game, tied for second best in the league, while Missouri Valley allows 25 points per game.
? Wide Receivers Dillon Hester and Michael Murray have also provided a 1-2 punch for the Evangel offense, ranking 4th and 5th in receiving yards per game. Hester ranks 4th with 94.2 yards per game, while Murray is 6th with 73.8 yards per game. Hester leads all EU receivers with five touchdown catches.
? Evangel seventh-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 38-29 mark as EU's sideline boss; his win total ranks third in school history, trailing only Keith Barefield (66) and Scott Metcalf (44).
? All Evangel home games in 2022 will be streamed live on the Evangel Sports Network in conjunction with the Heart Network. Fans can download the Heart Conference Network App for AppleTV, Amazon, or Roku and watch Evangel football games on their smart TV or streaming devices.
LOOKING AHEAD
Evangel will go back on the road next week to face the Baker Wildcats in a 1 p.m. kickoff in Baldwin City, Kansas.
For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.
—#OneValor—
