SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor football program opens their 2026 campaign on Saturday (Aug. 29) evening, taking on the Saint Mary Spires under the lights of Nixa's Eagle Stadium at 6:05 p.m.
To view the live stream, click here. To access live stats, click here. For tickets to Saturday's contest, click here.
OPENING STORYLINES
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Evangel eleventh-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 70-36 overall record, the most wins by a football head coach at Evangel, set last season in a road win against Avila.
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Evangel was picked to finish first in the Kessinger Division coaches and media poll. In the Bissell, McPherson was picked just slightly over Friends in the coaches poll, while the Falcons edged the Bulldogs in the media poll. Saint Mary was picked to finish fifth in the Bissell preseason coaches poll, just above Sterling.
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The Valor are ranked #19 in the preseason edition of the NAIA Top 25 Coaches Rating. In the KCAC, Friends is tied for ninth, McPherson opened the season at #21, Southwestern sits at #22, and Kansas Wesleyan is currently receiving votes.
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Evangel and Saint Mary 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 on the road last season, 62-14, and will match up at home with the Spires for the first time in program history on Saturday.
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Broc Lyle enters his senior season in the top 10 for receptions, receiving touchdowns, and receiving yards, currently with 146, 20, and 1,912. Lyle led the Valor last season in all receiving categories.
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Evangel Special Teams remains the same as last season, as Colton Brosenne returns to punt and Cody Voysey returns to kick.
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Looking at the running game, Cameron Harris returns in an elevated position, after the departure of Eric Williams II. Harris ran for 249 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
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Matt Allen is slated to start at quarterback for the Valor on Saturday night, following the departure of Nixa native Reid Potts. Allen has played in 21 games in his career at Evangel.
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Looking at the Valor defense, senior Draven VanGilder returns after leading Evangel in tackles last season with 86. Junior Deacon Peterson returns after a eight sack season, as both Peterson and Garrett Finley (7.5 sacks) will aim to fill the departure of All-American Zach Myers.
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Evangel is 26-22-1 all-time in season-opening games, having won five straight and three consecutive at home.
UP NEXT
Evangel Football hits the road next Saturday (Sept. 5) evening, taking on the Sterling College Warriors in Sterling, Kan., at 6:00 p.m.
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—
