Evangel to kick off season at Kansas Wesleyan

SPRINGFIELD, Mo–Evangel will kick off it’s 2024 football season Saturday night at Kansas Wesleyan.

And Valor coach Chuck Hepola has a tough act to follow.

Evangel had a perfect 2023 regular season, 11-0.

But his Valor lost in the NAIA playoffs.

This year’s team is ranked 14th in the nation and set to start it’s crusade into the new campaign.

Hepola returns 24 experienced players on both sides of the ball, including three NAIA All-Americans.

But he will need to replace R.J. Wakley at quarterback.

Senior Reid Potts from Nixa will get the nod at qb.

And the goal is to run the table again in 20-24.

“Our goal is to play the very best football on every snap that we’re out there. Yea I’d like to go through the season undefeated. And you’d like to make the playoffs. But the ultimate goal is to win a conference championship and give yourself an opportunity. But really our goal is to be the best football player we can be on the next play. Because if we start thinking too far ahead we lose our total focus,” said Hepola.

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