WICHITA, Kan. – After another winning season in 2024, Valor Football earned a pair of major KCAC conference awards, as Bradley Myers was named KCAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and Jonah Edwards was named the KCAC Special Teams Player of the Year. Valor Football also earned 22 all-conference honorees, matching last year’s total of honorees.
Running back Eric Williams, wide receiver Broc Lyle, offensive lineman CJ Anoa’i, defensive lineman Zach Myers, linebacker Bradley Myers, safety Nate Swofford, kicker Jonah Edwards, punter Ryan Conner, and punt returner Drew Ripko all earned first team honors in the KCAC. Earning second team all-conference honors were fullback Cameron Harris, wide receiver Rafe Darter, offensive lineman Dominic Dawson, defensive lineman Kyair Warner, utility player Kyle Cummings, kick returner Drew Ripko, and long snapper Caleb Higginbottom. The Valor were rounded out with seven KCAC honorable mention all-conference players, tight end Brady Allen, offensive lineman Isaiah Davis and Lukas Higgins, linebackers Riley Childs and Clayton Uber, and defensive backs Joey Sylvester and Erik Spring.
Eric Williams finished his regular season with 1,077 rushing yards, the first Evangel player to rush for over 1,000 yards since Demetric Phillips did it in 2005. Williams averaged 107.7 rushing yards per game, which was first in the Kessinger division. Broc Lyle finished his sophomore campaign with 466 total receiving yards, averaging 51.8 yards per game, good for third in the division, while also reeling in eight touchdowns, tied for second in the Kessinger. CJ Anoa’i, an All-American last season, had a strong year, allowing just seven sacks with his offensive line, the fewest in the division.
Zach Myers posted another strong season defensively, finishing with 44 total tackles and nine for loss, which was 10th in the division. Bradley Myers, the conference DPOTY for the second time, again led the nation in tackles per game (12.1) and finished second in the nation for tackles with 121. Myers also came away with three fumble recoveries (1st in div.) and had 10.5 TFLs (t-5th in div.). Nate Swofford was a vital piece in the secondary for Evangel, finishing with 60 tackles (8th in div.), a pair of interceptions (t-12th in div.) and a pair of blocked kicks (first in division), while earning national player of the week honors.
Jonah Edwards had a strong season, breaking the school record for field goals in a career, while going 14-15 this season. Edwards was a perfect 36-36 on PATs and was named to the Fred Mitchell Place Kicker Watchlist. Ryan Conner wrapped up his career by leading the conference in punt average (41.6 yds) while nailing 16 punts inside the 20 and seven punts over 50 yards. Drew Ripko rounded out first team honors as a punt returner, recording six returns this season (57 yds).
For second team honors, running back Cameron Harris played in just seven games, recording 268 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wide receiver Rafe Darter finished with 405 total receiving yards and a pair of touchdown receptions, while center Dominic Dawson protected the QB, allowing just seven sacks with his OL this season. Kyair Warner had a strong year, doing a little bit of everything including two interceptions, two forced fumbles, 7.5 TFLs, and 36 total tackles. Kyle Cummings earned second team honors as a utility player, finishing with 42 rushing yards and 11 total tackles on kickoffs and punts. Drew Ripko earned second team honors as a kick returner, finishing with 340 return yards (2nd in div.) and long snapper Caleb Higginbottom finished a successful season of 36 PATs and 14 FGs.
Offensive lineman Isaiah Davis and Lukas Higgins have allowed just seven combined sacks this season, earning honorable mention honors. Freshman Brady Allen also earned HM honors, finishing with 243 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Riley Childs finished this season with 45 total tackles and a pair of forced fumbles (t-1st in div.). Clayton Uber was named HM after a 37 tackle season, followed by Joey Sylvester who recorded 48 total tackles and an interception. Rounding out honors for Evangel was Erik Spring, who finished with three interceptions and nine pass breakups, which was tied for second in the Kessinger.
Evangel finished their regular season receiving votes in the top 25 rating, with a record of 8-2 overall, finishing tied for third in the Kessinger Division.
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