WICHITA, Kan. – After a strong, undefeated 2023 regular season, Valor Football earned four major KCAC conference awards, including Coach of the Year for Chuck Hepola, Assistant Coach of the Year for Jeremy DeSoto, Offensive Player of the Year for Dillon Hester, and Defensive Player of the Year for Bradley Myers. Valor Football also earned 22 all-conference honorees, the most all-conference honorees since the 2005 season.
Quarterback RJ Wakley, wide receiver Dillon Hester, tight end Andrew Holden, offensive lineman CJ Anoa'i, defensive end Zach Myers, linebacker Bradley Myers, safety Nate Swofford, and kicker Jonah Edwards all earned first team honors in the KCAC. Hester and Zach Myers were both unanimous all-conference first teamers. Earning second team all-conference honors were running back Sammy Robinson, fullback Eric Williams, and wide receiver Broc Lyle. The Valor were rounded out with 11 KCAC honorable mention all-conference players, offensive lineman Dominic Dawson, Gerry Harris, and Colin Cook, defensive ends Dominique Puentes and Kyair Warner, linebackers Ian Ary and Koel Orchard, defensive backs Brody Patterson and Jaren Foster, long snapper Caleb Higginbottom, punter Ryan Conner, and Dillon Hester, as a punt returner.
Coach Hepola earned his first KCAC Coach of the Year award in Evangel's first season in the KCAC. The 2023 award is Coach Hepola's third coach of the year award in his career at EU. Coach DeSoto earned his first KCAC Assistant Coach of the Year award this season. Hepola led the Valor to an 11-0 regular season while DeSoto coached a defense that ranks in the top 10 nationally in several categories, including second in the nation in passing yards allowed (134.3).
RJ Wakley finished his regular season with 2,616 passing yards, which was ninth in the nation. Wakley also threw for 27 touchdowns, which was 11th in the nation. Hester was Evangel's top receiver this season, recording 999 receiving yards, which is 7th in the nation, and 13 touchdowns, which is currently tied for fourth in the nation. Andrew Holden has been a strong factor blocking in the run game, but also recorded 172 receiving yards this season. CJ Anoa'i helped anchor an offensive line that has only given up four sacks this season. Brothers Zach and Bradley have been defensive nightmares to opposing offenses. Bradley currently leads the nation in total tackles with 139 while Zach is tied for fourth in the nation for TFLs, currently with 19. Nate Swofford has helped lock down the receiving corps in the KCAC, currently with 2 interceptions and two forced fumbles. Rounding out first team honors is Jonah Edwards, whose steady leg has consistently won games for Evangel, as he has nailed 10 field goals this season and capitalized on 38 PATs, which is 20th in the nation.
For second team honors, running back Sammy Robinson currently has 417 rushing yards this season, while fullback Eric Williams has 733 rushing yards. Williams' nine rushing touchdowns is good for 24th in the nation. Freshman Broc Lyle has been a perfect complement to Dillon Hester, as Lyle finished the regular season with 643 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
Offensive lineman Dominic Dawson, Gerry Harris, and Colin Cook have allowed just four combined sacks this season. Defensive ends Dominique Puentes and Kyair Warner have both had nice seasons, with both coming up big in Evangel's regular season finale against Bethel as both blocked a field goal each. Ian Ary currently has the second most tackles on the Valor defense with 68 while Koel Orchard has 31, after missing a few games to injury. Jaren Foster and Brody Patterson both have over fifty tackles and a forced fumble this season. Ryan Conner finished the regular season with 1629 punting yards and 18 punts that landed inside the 20-yard line. Caleb Higginbottom has been the long snapper for both Edwards and Conner this season, successfully snapping every ball for field goals, PATs, and punts.
Evangel finished their regular season with a record of 11-0 overall and is awaiting til Saturday evening to find out their postseason opponent.
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