The Basics

Score: #18 Evangel 12, #16 Saint Francis 13 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (9-3), Saint Francis (10-2)

Location: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Evangel Football opened postseason play on the road on Saturday (Nov. 22) afternoon, taking on the 16th seeded Saint Francis Cougars. Despite an exceptional defensive performance, the Valor fell in heartbreaking fashion, missing a game winning field goal as time expired to close out their 2025 season, 13-12.

The Evangel defense forced an early three and out for the Cougars offense and drove nearly the length of the field on their opening drive before a fumble was recovered by Saint Francis, leaving both teams scoreless on their opening drives.

EU again forced a three and out and once again, drove down the field, using receptions from Jeremiah Barnes and Broc Lyle to get into the redzone, before Reid Potts hit James Dowdy on a crossing route, giving EU a 7-0 lead.

Another defensive stop was followed by yet another strong Evangel drive, but this one would stall out on the four-yard line, forcing the Valor to settle for a Cody Voysey field goal, taking a 10-0 lead with 9:47 remaining in the second quarter.

Both teams punted on their following possessions, before Talon Stephens came away with an improbable interception, stealing the ball from the Cougars receiver. Evangel could not score on the following drive and Saint Francis scored on their final drive of the half, as EU led, 10-7, at the halftime break.

The Cougars forced an Evangel stop and then scored a field goal to tie the game up at 10 with 10:24 remaining in the third quarter. Neither team scored on their next possessions, but a bad snap into the back of the endzone resulted in a safety, giving Evangel back the lead, 12-10.

Both defenses continued to force fourth downs, as neither team could add any additional points until Saint Francis hit a 20-yard field goal, taking a 13-12 lead over EU with just 2:44 remaining in the game. 

Evangel was able to pick up timely big plays on their final drive, hitting Brady Allen for a first down on a fourth down, paired with a 40-yard Drew Ripko reception to put Evangel right next to the redzone. EU gained another 18 yards and stopped the clock with just one second remaining, lined up for a 27-yard field goal. Saint Francis used a timeout to attempt to ice Cody Voysey, which proved successful, as the kick went just right of the right up-right, forcing EU to fall, 13-12, in the first round of the NAIA Football Championship Series.

Offensively, Reid Potts finished his day with 221 passing yards and a touchdown pass, while Eric Williams II led EU in rushing with 103 yards. Brady Allen led EU with 10 receptions for 75 yards in the loss.

Erik Spring led Evangel with seven tackles, while Kenneth Spring finished with 2.5 tackles for loss. Zach Myers and Draven VanGilder both finished with a sack each, while Talon Stephens came away with the only Evangel interception.