(18) Evangel Pulls Away from Avila After Tight Start

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila gave KCAC newcomers Evangel all they could handle for the first 30 minutes, but after halftime the (18) Valor (6-0) cruised to a 44-6 victory over the Eagles (1-5) to stay unbeaten and spoil Avila's Homecoming on Saturday afternoon at The Z.

The former HAAC foes matched up for the first time as KCAC opponents on Saturday, and Avila, perhaps relishing in some of the strong Homecoming atmosphere, gave nationally-ranked Evangel a great game for the first 30 minutes. Both teams found the end zone in the first quarter and Evangel only managed a touchdown and a field goal in the second to take a narrow 16-6 lead into the intermission.

But once the second half began, it was all Evangel. Dillon Hester and Broc Lyle scored on passes from RJ Wakley, sandwiching a rushing score from standout tailback Eric Williams, part of a 21-point third-quarter outburst from the visitors, before backup QB Matt Allen sealed the deal with a rushing score in the fourth quarter.

Normally a slow-starting team this season, Avila battled well in the first half and especially in the first quarter, answering Evangel's first touchdown drive with a TD pass from Eli Williams to Jordan Cummings, his first score as an Eagle. However, Evangel scored the final 38 points of the game to ultimately cruise to the victory.

Wakley accounted for four scores for the Valor, and Hester, the standout wideout, tallied 121 yards receiving with two scores. AJ Carreon led Avila's receivers with 74 yards on only three catches; Anthony Withrow and Dennis Johnson tied for the team lead with nine tackles, and Trevon Miller killed a drive with an interception in the end zone, his fourth pick of the year.

With the KCAC now under a divisional format, the path to some history and some postseason acclaim is still very much intact for Avila football in 2023. Every team in the conference is on a bye next weekend, and Avila will return to action the following Saturday, October 14, when the Eagles welcome rivals Kansas Wesleyan to The Z to begin Bissell Division play for the first time. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM; as always, you can watch all the action live and for free on the Avila Sports Network.