SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor travel to Wichita on Saturday (Sept. 27) evening to take on the 7th-ranked Friends Falcons at 6:00 p.m., looking to bounce back after a tough 17-10 loss at home against McPherson.
OPENING STORYLINES
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Evangel tenth-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 64-34 overall record, the second most wins by a football head coach at Evangel, just two wins behind former head coach Keith Barefield (66).
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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.
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The Valor dropped back to receiving votes in the second edition of the NAIA Top 25 Coaches Rating. In the KCAC, Friends is ranked #7, while Southwestern moved up to #17. McPherson has begun receiving votes, while Kansas Wesleyan is still also receiving votes. An updated top 25 rating comes out every Monday the rest of the season.
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Evangel and Friends match up for the sixth time in program history, as Evangel looks to continue their four game winning streak against the Falcons. The Valor were victorious on the road last season, 24-21, their first ever win against Friends on the road.
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Eric Williams leads Evangel in rushing yards and total offensive yards, currently with 468 yards rushing and 639 total yards this season. Williams has rushed for six touchdowns and reeled in four from the air to open the season.
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Broc Lyle currently sits ninth all time with 17 total receiving touchdowns, leading the team so far this season with 309 yards receiving.
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Reid Potts leads Evangel at quarterback, throwing for 937 yards so far this year and eight touchdown passes.
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Javeon Turner & Jaren Foster both recorded their first interceptions of the season in last week's loss to McPherson.
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Draven VanGilder leads Evangel defensively with 29 total tackles, while Deacon Peterson leads EU in sacks with three so far this season.
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Cody Voysey has been consistent for Evangel this season, kicking 20-21 on PATs and 2-2 on FGs.
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Evangel enters Saturday's contest with a 265-233-3 all-time record, recording a win in their 500th game against Southwestern on September 13th.
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—
