SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor kicks off its 46th season of football on Thursday night against Clarke University under the lights of Eagle Stadium in Nixa, Mo.
SERIES HISTORY
Evangel is 3-0 all-time against Clarke who started football in 2019. Evangel won last year's meeting in Dubuque, Iowa, 24-9.
OPENING STORYLINES
The Evangel Valor returns to Eagle Stadium to kickoff the 46th season of Evangel football. In the second season of playing home games at Nixa High School, Evangel's five-game home slate begins Thursday at 6:30 p.m. against Clarke University.
Evangel seventh-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 35-27 mark as EU's sideline boss; his win total ranks third in school history, trailing only Keith Barefield (66) and Scott Metcalf (44).
Thursday will be just the fourth meeting against Clarke, who started its football program in 2019. Evangel has won all three meetings against the Pride, including last season's game in Dubuque, Iowa, 24-9.
After finishing 5-6 last season and 2-3 in the rugged Heart South Division, Evangel has seen several staff changes. Offensively, David Flores has moved to the offensive line and is now the Offensive Coordinator. He is joined by Cody Wells in his first season with Evangel as Co-Offensive Coordinator after spending the last six seasons at NCAA FCS-member Jacksonville State.
Returning for Evangel are four First Team All-Heart selections, with offensive lineman Derrick Johnson and wide receiver/returner Dillon Hester on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively a pair of seniors return with defensive lineman Will Anoa'i and defensive back Athanie Leeviraphan. Anoa'i was among the league leaders in sacks and tackles for a loss, while Leeviraphan broke up nine passes and led a pass defense that ranked fifth nationally. Johnson anchored an offensive line that allowed just nine sacks last season, and Hester led EU in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
Also returning defensively for Evangel are all-conference selections with defensive back Koel Orchard, defensive lineman Seth Cathey, and defensive back Nate Swofford.
Offensively, Evangel will return a pair of running backs with Sammy Robinson and Bryce Nyumah. Nyumah led Evangel in rushing despite missing a portion of the season due to injury. Robinson led EU in rushing touchdowns and averaged 5.9 yards per carry.
Josh Tips also returns at one of the wide receiver positions after catching 28 passes for more than 450 yards last season. Tips will catch passes from Hayden Conrad and RJ Wakley, who both have seen action each of the last two seasons.
► Thursday's game will be broadcast live by Mediacom (MC22); 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 hit the road for the first time of 2022 at Graceland on Saturday, Sept. 3. Kickoff from Lamoni, Iowa is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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—
