The Basics
Score: #18 Evangel 44, Avila 6
Records: Evangel (6-0); Avila (1-5)
Location: The Z | Kansas City, Mo. 
Box Score

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A big second half and strong defensive effort helped the Evangel Valor football team run away from the Avila Eagles, 44-6, Saturday afternoon in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference action.

The Valor saw its defense stand up and hold the Eagles to just six points en route to moving to 6-0 and closing out KCAC Cross Division play. The Eagles fell to 1-5 overall heading into the bye week.

A quick strike from RJ Wakley to Dillon Hester on a 50-yard touchdown pass and catch set the tone for the Valor offense. Wakley accounted for four Evangel touchdowns with three coming through the air and one on the ground as he threw for 245 yards in the win.

Wakley's rushing touchdown came in the second quarter to finish a 9-play 67-yard drive for Evangel. The score broke a 6-6 tie as the Valor never looked back.
Jonah Edwards connected on a 34-yard field goal to close out the first half and give Evangel a 16-6 lead at the break.

The second half was all Evangel. The defense posted a shutout over the final two quarters, as Wakley tossed two more touchdown passes, a second to Hester before finding Broc Lyle from 18-yards out in the third quarter.

Hester went over 100-yards receiving again with 10 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Eric Williams led Evangel on the ground with 16 carries for 88 yards as his third quarter touchdown put Evangel up 30-6.

Matt Allen would punch in a fourth quarter touchdown from 3-yards out for the final score for Evangel.

The defense tallied three turnovers including two interceptions to help stop the Avila offense. Conference passing leader Eli Williams was held in check going 17 for 38 for 173 yards and the lone touchdown.

Bradley Myers and Brody Patterson led Evangel with seven tackles each and a tackle for a loss. Jaren Foster added five tackles and an interception.

Evangel again held its opponent under 100-yards rushing with the Eagles managing just 57 yards on the ground. Avila saw just one trip into the Evangel redzone coming up with six points, while the Valor held the Eagles to 4 of 14 on third down and 0 for 3 on fourth downs.

Up Next
Evangel heads into its bye week sitting at 6-0 and ranked No. 18 in the latest NAIA Coaches Poll. The Valor return to action Oct. 14 at Bethany.