SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor football team opens their 48th season on Saturday (Aug. 31) evening at 7:00 p.m. against the 24th ranked Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes in Salina, Kansas.

OPENING STORYLINES

• Evangel ninth-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters the 2024 season with a 53-31 overall record, the second most wins by a football head coach at Evangel, thirteen wins behind 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.

• The Valor open the 2024 campaign ranked 14th in the nation, after going 11-1 last season. Saturday's matchup is a top-25 battle as KWU enters the year tied for 24th with conference foe Friends.

• Returning for Evangel this season are NAIA All-Americans CJ Anoa'i (OL), Bradley Myers (LB), and Zach Myers (DL).

• The Valor offense will look to replace the offensive production of Dillon Hester and RJ Wakley, who both finished their collegiate careers at Evangel last season. Returning this season at WR is Broc Lyle and Jeremiah Barnes, while transfer Rafe Darter will look to help the receiving corps. The battle at QB features three returners, Reid Potts, Matt Allen, and Kenneth Spring, as well as new freshman arms.

• Evangel holds a 24-23-1 all-time record in season openers, as the Valor look to move their winning streak of openers to four games with a win on Saturday.

• The Valor hold a 2-1 all-time record against Kansas Wesleyan, taking the win last season in Nixa, 17-7, in the season opener.

• Joining the Myers brothers and Anoa'i are All-KCAC Preseason honorees Eric Williams (RB), Nate Swofford (S), Jonah Edwards (K), and Caleb Higginbottom (LS).

• The Valor hold a 254-230-3 all-time record in their 47 years as a collegiate team.

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—