The Basics

Score: (RV) Evangel 7, (RV) Kansas Wesleyan 6 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (4-2), Kansas Wesleyan (4-2)

Location: Nixa, Mo. | Eagle Stadium

NIXA, Mo. – Evangel Football returned home on Saturday (Oct. 4) afternoon, hosting the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes in their final cross-divisional game of 2025. In what proved to be a low scoring affair, a late touchdown by Evangel proved to be the difference, as EU took a 7-6 win on Homecoming over the Coyotes.

After both teams were forced to punt on their first drives, Evangel drove down the field and Reid Potts threw what appeared to be a touchdown pass to Brady Allen who stretched over the goal line, but the line judge ruled Allen short and the Valor were stopped on the following plays, turning the ball over on downs. 

Kansas Wesleyan drove 93 yards, but were held out of the endzone, as the Coyotes took a 3-0 lead on the following drive on a 23 yard field goal. Despite Evangel fumbling on the ensuing kickoff, the Coyotes threw an interception to Talon Stephens to keep KWU from scoring. The next five drives of the afternoon all resulted in punts, as EU trailed 3-0 at the halftime break.

Both teams failed to score on their opening drives of the second half, but with 7:17 remaining in the third quarter, Kansas Wesleyan nailed a 40-yard field goal to take a 6-0 lead over the Valor. Evangel again was able to drive all the way down to the five-yard line, but again were stopped short of scoring on fourth down, giving Kansas Wesleyan back the ball with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter.

The Evangel defense was able to stop the Coyotes in their first drive of the fourth quarter and earn great field position as Kansas Wesleyan punted with EU recovering at the opposing 40-yard line. A 16-yard pass to Jeremiah Barnes was followed by a 18-yard touchdown pass to Broc Lyle that gave EU a 7-6 lead after Cody Voysey scored the PAT.

EU's defense forced a punt and Erik Spring was able to intercept a KWU pass to solidify the 7-6 win for Evangel, who moved to 4-2 on the year with the win.

Draven VanGilder led Evangel with 13 tackles, while Erik Spring finished with 12 tackles and the game-winning interception. Talon Stephens also recorded an interception in the win while VanGilder and Jaren Foster recorded tackles for loss.

Reid Potts finished his day with 179 passing yards and a touchdown pass, while James Dowdy led all receivers with 65 yards receiving. Eric Williams II finished his afternoon with 43 yards on the ground.

UP NEXT

Evangel will enjoy their bye week next week and prepare to take on the Ottawa Braves at 1:00 p.m. on October 18th in Nixa, Missouri.