SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The 18th ranked Evangel Valor football team takes on former Heart Conference foe Avila on Saturday in their final cross divisional match of the season. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri.

OPENING STORYLINES

• Evangel looks to move to 6-0 in a matchup of former Heart Conference foes Saturday at Avila. The Valor and Eagles haven't played since 2017 when both were members of the same conference.
• Evangel seventh-year head coach Chuck Hepola won his 45th game against Sterling on Sept. 9, surpassing Scott Metcalf for second on the all-time coaching wins list in Evangel history. Keith Barefield's 66 wins sit at the top.
• Evangel moved up again in the latest NAIA Coaches Poll Top 25 this week to No. 18. The Valor cracked the poll on Sept. 11 at No. 25 after receiving votes in the preseason poll. Divisional foe Southwestern joins Evangel as the only KCAC schools ranked with the Moundbuilders sitting at No. 8.
• The Valor start the season at 5-0 for the first time since the 2018 season when they won their first eight games. Evangel finished 9-2 that season and was 2-2 in the Heart South Division.
• Bradley Myers and Jonah Edwards were named KCAC Players of the Week. Myers recorded a season-high 18 tackles against Ottawa including six solo and 0.5 tackle for a loss. Edwards was 2 for 2 on field goals and made all three extra points in the win.
• The defensive unit still ranks among the nation's leaders allowing 15.4 points per game which ranks 14th in the NAIA. The Valor defense also ranks in the top 10 nationally allowing 237.6 yards per game which is 7th best in the NAIA.
• Offensively, Evangel ranks in the top 10 in passing touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. The Valor rank 7th in the NAIA in passing touchdowns with 12, while also recording 12 on the ground to rank 8th.
• Running back Eric Williams finished a career day against Saint Mary rushing for 205 yards and four touchdowns. Williams broke a school record for touchdowns in a single game when he caught a pass for his 5th score of the game. His four rushing touchdowns also tied a school record.
• Bradley Myers continues to lead the NAIA with 64 total tackles, tops in the nation. His 12.8 tackles per game are among the nation's leaders as well ranking second.

LOOKING AHEAD

Evangel will take a week off for the conference bye week, before starting divisional play on Saturday, October 14th on the road against Bethany in Lindsborg, Kansas, at 1:30 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—