SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – #20 Evangel hits the road for a highly anticipated top-20 matchup against the #19 Friends Falcons.

The Valor will travel to Wichita, Kansas, on Saturday (Oct. 26) afternoon, in a battle of the last remaining undefeated teams in the KCAC, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

OPENING STORYLINES

• The Evangel Valor hit the road on Saturday to face off with the 19th ranked Friends Falcons in a top 20 matchup at 1:00 p.m. in Wichita, Kansas.

• Evangel ninth-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 59-31 overall record, the second most wins by a football head coach at Evangel, just seven 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. Friends was the team tied with Evangel for first in the Kessinger coaches 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 six games of the season, one of which was against previously ranked #24 Kansas Wesleyan. In the KCAC, Southwestern is currently receiving votes with Friends ranked at #19 to lead the conference.

• Evangel and Friends match up for the fifth time in program history, as Evangel looks to extend their 3-1 lead against the conference opponent. The Valor were victorious at home for homecoming last season against Friends, 20-11, in what was a top-25 matchup.

• Reid Potts leads the Valor in passing, currently throwing for 1082 yards this season.

• Bradley Myers leads the Valor defensively, currently with 64 total tackles this season, 37 more than the next defender on the team.

• Jonah Edwards has been consistent all season, currently 9-9 for FG kicks, hitting his season long of 42 yards in the win against Bethany, and 25-25 on PATs.

• Eric Williams leads the Valor in rushing this year, racking up 681 rushing yards while averaging 6.1 yards per rush. Williams averages 113.5 yards per game, leading the conference.

• The Valor have four receivers with triple digit receiving yards, currently led by Broc Lyle, who has 373 yards total so far this season, the second most by a player in the Kessinger division

• The Valor hold a 260-230-3 all-time record in their 47 years as a collegiate team.

LOOKING AHEAD

Valor Football returns home to open the month of November, hosting the McPherson College Bulldogs at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 2) 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—