SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The 16th-ranked Evangel Valor football team returns home after a come from behind 24-21 victory over previously ranked #19 Friends, to take on the McPherson College Bulldogs.
The Valor will host the Bulldogs in Nixa, Missouri, in a battle of the last remaining unbeaten squads in Kessinger divisional play. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 2nd.
OPENING STORYLINES
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Evangel ninth-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 60-31 overall record, the second most wins by a football head coach at Evangel, just six wins behind former head coach Keith Barefield (66).
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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. McPherson was picked to finish tied for fourth in the Kessinger preseason coaches poll.
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The Valor are ranked #16 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 seven games of the season, two of which were against #19 Friends and previously ranked #24 Kansas Wesleyan. In the KCAC, Southwestern is currently receiving votes with Friends ranked at #23.
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Evangel and McPherson match up for just the second time in program history, as Evangel looks to extend their 1-0 lead against the conference opponent. The Valor were victorious last season on the road in a defensive battle, 17-7.
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The Evangel rushing attack has been a big piece to the Valor offense, as they average 187.3 rushing yards a game. In their previous home game with Bethany, the Valor broke the school record for rushing yards, finishing with 410, and rushing touchdowns, finishing with seven.
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Bradley Myers leads the Valor defensively, currently with 81 total tackles this season. Myers' 11.6 tackles per game currently ranks second in the nation.
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Jonah Edwards has been consistent all season, currently 10-10 for FG kicks, hitting a season long of 42 yards, and 28-28 on PATs. For his strong play, Edwards was named to the Fred Mitchell Watchlist, an award given to the top place-kicker in the nation, regardless of division.
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Reid Potts threw for a season high of 283 passing yards in the win against Friends, 104 of those yards going to freshman tight end Brady Allen.
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The Valor hold a 261-230-3 all-time record in their 47 years as a collegiate team.
LOOKING AHEAD
Valor Football competes in their final home regular season game of the season, hosting the (RV) Southwestern College Moundbuilders on Saturday (Nov. 9) afternoon at 1:05 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—
