SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor open their 2025 campaign on Saturday (Aug. 30) evening, taking on the Saint Mary Spires in Leavenworth, Kansas at 6:00 p.m.

OPENING STORYLINES

• Evangel tenth-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 61-33 overall record, the second-most wins by a football head coach at Evangel, just five wins behind former head coach Keith Barefield (66).

• Evangel was picked to finish first in the Kessinger Division coaches and media poll. In the Bissell, Friends was picked just slightly over Southwestern in the coaches and media poll. Saint Mary was picked to finish fifth in the Bissell preseason coaches poll, just above Sterling.

• The Valor are receiving votes in the preseason edition of the NAIA Top 25 Coaches Rating. In the KCAC, Friends is ranked #12, Southwestern opened the season at #14, and Kansas Wesleyan is currently receiving votes.

• Evangel and Saint Mary 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 in a rain-shortened game in 2023, 59-42, back in Leavenworth. Both teams were unable to play each other last season due to inclement weather in the Nixa area.

• Eric Williams II returns as the leading rusher for Evangel, after eclipsing the 1,000 yard rushing mark in 2024, the first 1,000+ yard rusher at Evangel since 2005 (Demetric Phillips).

• Broc Lyle enters his junior season in the top 10 for receiving touchdowns, currently with 15. Lyle led the Valor last season in all receiving categories.

• Reid Potts returns for his last season at quarterback for Evangel, coming off a 1,623 passing yard season with 14 touchdowns and a 56.25% completion percentage.

• Zach Myers also enters his final season in an Evangel uniform, looking to return to form in 2025 after finishing with nine tackles for loss and 44 total tackles last season on the defensive line.

• Evangel Special Teams will have an entirely new look this season after the departure of All-Americans Jonah Edwards and Ryan Conner. Jeremiah Blakely is expected to start at kicker this season and Mason Bendabout at the punter position.

• Evangel is 25-22-1 all-time in season-opening games, having won four straight and two consecutive on the road.

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—