The Basics

Score: (RV) Evangel 62, Saint Mary 14 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (1-0), Saint Mary (0-1)

Location: Leavenworth, Kan. | Berkel Memorial Stadium

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – A balanced and dominant offensive performance that saw Evangel record 631 total offensive yards led to a 62-14 runaway victory for the Valor over Saint Mary in their season opener on Saturday (Aug. 30) evening.

Evangel opened Saturday's contest with a seven play drive, using 16-yard pickups from Broc Lyle and Eric Williams II to take a 7-0 lead. After the Valor defense forced a punt, Evangel again drove the length of the field, scoring on a 13-yard rush from Williams to take a 14-0 lead.

After back-to-back sacks from the Valor defense gave EU possession, a Drew Ripko end-around pushed EU to a 20-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Spires scored to open the second quarter, but Evangel quickly responded with a nine play drive capped off by a 14-yard pass to James Dowdy from Reid Potts to extend Evangel's lead to 27-7.

Saint Mary punted on back-to-back possessions and Evangel scored on their final drive of the first half, as Reid Potts scampered into the endzone on a nine yard rush, giving the Valor a 34-7 halftime lead.

On USM's first possession of the second half, converted quarterback turned safety Kenneth Spring came away with his first career interception, giving Evangel the opportunity to put another touchdown on the board, as Potts and Broc Lyle combined for a 37-yard touchdown reception, making it a 41-7 game. 

After forcing another USM punt, Potts threw a forward pass in the flat to Williams, scoring a 59-yard touchdown reception to push Evangel's lead to 48-7.

Saint Mary scored their final touchdown of the game midway through the third quarter, making it a 48-14 ballgame. Kyle Cummings and Donnie Wilkes both scored rushing touchdowns for Evangel to close out the game, as well as Cullen Snow coming away with a pair of interceptions in the fourth quarter to put the game on ice, as the Valor came away with a 62-14 victory.

Dylan Ayres led Evangel with seven total tackles while Draven VanGilder and Hugh Eaton led EU with 1.5 TFLs.

Reid Potts finished his night with 331 passing yards, going 19-22 with four touchdown passes, while Eric Williams II finished with 133 rushing yards. Broc Lyle led the Valor with 97 receiving yards as the Valor offense finished with 631 total yards, the most since last season's 644 yards against Bethany.

UP NEXT

Evangel hosts Sterling next Saturday (Sept. 6) evening at 6:00 p.m., looking to move to 2-0 on the season in Nixa, Missouri.