SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel football makes its final trip to Iowa as a Heart member this Saturday to face William Penn.
SERIES HISTORY
Evangel and William Penn have met just six times since the Statesmen joined the Heart in 2015. Evangel has won the last three meetings to hold a 4-2 lead in the all-time series. The Valor earned a 28-14 victory last year in Nixa.
OPENING STORYLINES
The Evangel Valor makes its final trip to Iowa on Saturday to face William Penn. Evangel and the Statesmen will meet for just the seventh time in school history since William Penn joined the Heart in 2015.
In last week's win, Evangel set a school record with eight interceptions. It shattered the previous record of six, which happened twice, both in 1988 vs Lincoln and Graceland. The '88 season is also the standard for interceptions that the 2022 team is chasing, holding the school record with 29 picks. Last season the, Valor finished the entire year with eight interceptions.
Evangel swept the Heart of America Athletic Conference Weekly honors with Michael Murray earning Offensive honors, Athanie Leeviraphan taking home defensive honors, and Ryan Conner being named Special Teams POW. Conner had 11 punts for 449 yards and five punts inside the 20-yard line, while Muray scored twice on six catches for 108 yards. Leeviraphan tied a school record with three interceptions and five tackles.
Also tying a school single-game record Athanie Leeviraphan and Tyler White finished with three interceptions each. Leeviraphan was honored with NAIA National Player of the Week for his efforts that included 5.5 tackles and a pick-six.
Athanie Leeviraphan broke into the top 10 all-time at Evangel in interceptions after a three-pick game on Saturday. Leeviraphan now has 12 and is tied with Otis Calhoun (87-88), Shea Allen (1997-2000), and Troy Clayton (1993-96) for fifth all-time.
Will Anoa'i moved into fifth all-time with 40.5 tackles for a loss in his career. The Springfield Kickapoo standout trails third place by 0.5, while Josh Evans ranks first with 64.5 tackles for a loss.
Ryan Conner also moved into the Evangel record books for punt yards in a career and punt attempts. Conner ranks 10th in yards and ninth in attempts.
The Evangel defense blocked its second kick of the season Saturday. Since 2014 Evangel has blocked at least two kicks in a season.
LOOKING AHEAD
Evangel returns home to Eagle Stadium for a meeting with the No. 2-ranked Grand View Vikings.
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—
