SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor football team returns home this weekend for their annual homecoming matchup, in search of win number five on the season.

The Valor play host to the Avila Eagles 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 Avila Eagles in their final matchup of cross-divisional play and for homecoming at 1:00 p.m.

• The Valor were victorious last week, taking a 27-14 win over Ottawa, their 16th consecutive regular season win.

• Evangel ninth-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 57-31 overall record, the second most wins by a football head coach at Evangel, just nine 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. Avila was chosen to finish tied for third in the Bissell.

• The Valor dropped to #19 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 four games of the season, one of which was against previously ranked #24 Kansas Wesleyan. In the KCAC, Friends and Southwestern sit tied at #22.

• Evangel and Avila will renew their past rivalry, after both schools competed in the Heart of America conference. Evangel leads the all-time matchup, 15-3, and has taken three consecutive wins over the Eagles, including last year's 44-6 victory in Kansas City.

• Reid Potts has continued to play well as the new man under center for Evangel. Potts currently has thrown for 766 yards this season.

• Bradley Myers leads the Valor defensively, currently with 46 total tackles this season, 28 more than the next defender on the team.

• Jonah Edwards has been consistent all season, currently 7-7 for FG kicks and 14-14 on PATs.

• Eric Williams leads the Valor in rushing this year, racking up 438 rushing yards while averaging 5.6 yards per rush.

• Broc Lyle continues to be the only Valor receiver with triple digit reception yards, leading the way with 259 yards so far this year.

• The Valor hold a 23-23-1 record on homecoming, moving back to .500 with the win last season against Friends.

• The Valor hold a 258-230-3 all-time record in their 47 years as a collegiate team.

LOOKING AHEAD

Valor Football will enjoy their bye week and return to action at home on October 19th against Bethany College at 1:00 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—