SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor football team opens divisional play on Saturday (Oct. 19) afternoon after taking a week off for the conference bye.

The Valor play host to the Bethany Swedes in Nixa, Missouri, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Eagle Stadium.

OPENING STORYLINES

• The Evangel Valor return home on Saturday to play host to the Bethany Swedes in their first matchup in divisional play at 1:00 p.m.

• Evangel ninth-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 58-31 overall record, the second most wins by a football head coach at Evangel, just eight wins behind former head coach Keith Barefield (66).

• Evangel was picked to finish tied for first in the Kessinger Division coaches poll, but were the lone first place choice in the media poll by a single vote. In the Bissell, Kansas Wesleyan was picked over last years division champ, Ottawa. Bethany was selected to finish in sixth in the Kessinger poll.

• The Valor are ranked #20 overall in the latest edition of the NAIA Top 25 Coaches Rating. The Valor began the season at #14, but dropped despite winning their first five games of the season, one of which was against previously ranked #24 Kansas Wesleyan. In the KCAC, Southwestern is currently #21 with Friends ranked at #23.

• Evangel and Bethany match up for the third time in program history, as Evangel looks to go above .500 against the conference opponent. Although Evangel won the game back in 1988, the forfeit of the season resulted in that game being counted as a loss.

• Reid Potts leads the Valor in passing, currently throwing for 859 yards this season.

• Bradley Myers leads the Valor defensively, currently with 55 total tackles this season, 31 more than the next defender on the team.

• Jonah Edwards has been consistent all season, currently 8-8 for FG kicks and 19-19 on PATs.

• Eric Williams leads the Valor in rushing this year, racking up 568 rushing yards while averaging 5.9 yards per rush.

• The Valor have four receivers with triple digit receiving yards, currently led by Broc Lyle, who has 277 yards total so far this season.

• The Valor now hold a 24-23-1 record on homecoming, moving above .500 after their win against Avila in their previous game.

• The Valor hold a 259-230-3 all-time record in their 47 years as a collegiate team.

LOOKING AHEAD

Valor Football travels to Wichita, Kan., for a matchup with #23 Friends at 1:00 p.m. next Saturday (Oct. 26) afternoon.

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—