Evangel’s defense still sharpening its game

SPRINGFIELD, Mo–Evangel dropped in the national NAIA poll this week to number 17.

The Valor is still unbeaten, but did not win last Saturday.

That’s because Evangel’s game at home against St. Mary was postponed because of thunderstorms in the Nixa area.

Valor coach Chuck Hepola says he’s putting his team’s attention toward this week’s road game at Ottawa, Kansas.

The Braves are rebuilding after winning their division last season.

That’s good enough for Valor linebacker Bradley Myers.

He leads Evangel with 35 tackles.

Myers and his defensive teammates want to improve and respect their opponents.

“We haven’t hit our goal. We haven’t hit our standard of what we do each and every game. So we’re trying to get back to that. We want a goose egg every game, each and every time. At least three turnovers, that’s the standard that’s set ever since (Defensive Coordinator Jeremy) Desoto got here. Just getting back to that standard and elevate our play each and every week. Each and every team we want to go 1-and-0 each week. So we look at a team like it’s 0-and-0. Whatever their record is doesn’t reflect what they’re doing. Each and every week just preparing and respecting them to the max,” said Myers.

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