SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor compete in their home opener on Saturday (Sept. 6) evening, taking on the Sterling College Warriors in Nixa, Missouri at 6:00 p.m.

OPENING STORYLINES

• Evangel tenth-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 62-33 overall record, the second most wins by a football head coach at Evangel, just four 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. Sterling was picked to finish sixth in the Bissell preseason coaches poll.

• 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 Sterling match up for just the third time in program history, as Evangel looks to extend their 2-0 lead against the conference opponent. The Valor were victorious last season on the road, 38-14, and won their lone home matchup with Sterling, 55-0, back in 2023.

• Eric Williams leads Evangel in rushing yards and total offensive yards, currently with 133 yards rushing and 217 total yards this season. Williams also rushed for a touchdown and picked up two touchdown receptions in the win over Saint Mary.

• Broc Lyle added another touchdown to his career total on Saturday, moving to ninth all-time with 16 scores.

• Reid Potts had an efficient first game of the season against Saint Mary, going 19-22 with 331 total passing yards, four passing touchdowns, and a touchdown on the ground in the 62-14 win. Potts was named the Division 1 Rejects NAIA Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

• Cullen Snow led the Valor defense last Saturday with a pair of fourth quarter interceptions, while Kenneth Spring also came away with his first career INT.

• Dylan Ayres leads Evangel in tackles, after finishing last Saturday with seven, while Draven VanGilder and Hugh Eaton lead in tackles for loss with 1.5 each.

• Cody Voysey was a perfect 8-8 for PATs in Saturday's game.

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—