Evangel University’s football program, now firmly established in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), is set to kick off its 2026 season with a roster rich in Southwest Missouri talent. The Valor, ranked 19th nationally in the NAIA preseason poll, will open against the University of Saint Mary on Saturday, Aug. 28, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. at Nixa High School’s Eagle Stadium.
Local players anchor the backfield
Running back Cameron Harris (Parkview High, Springfield) steps into a larger role after the graduation of conference leading rusher Eric Williams III. The 6‑foot, 220‑pound junior logged 603 yards and four touchdowns on 106 carries over the past two seasons and earned All‑KCAC preseason honors this month. Harris also set a Parkview single‑game rushing record with 356 yards during his high‑school career.
Defensive leaders return
Linebacker Draven VanGilder, a Joplin High alumnus, was among the most productive NAIA defenders in the region last season, posting 86 tackles (11.5 for loss) and 5.5 sacks, which earned him first‑team All‑KCAC recognition. Over three high‑school seasons he amassed 334 total tackles and was an all‑state selection as a senior.
Another defensive addition is junior linebacker Hugh Eaton (Marionville). He appeared in seven games in 2025, recording 12 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss, and is expected to see expanded playing time. Eaton helped Marionville win the 2023 Class 1 state title.
Offensive line depth bolstered
Veteran linemen dominate the front line. Dominic Dawson, a fifth‑year senior from Mount Vernon, earned first‑team All‑KCAC honors in 2025 after a second‑team nod in 2024. At 6‑2, 295 pounds, he anchors the interior line that allowed only ten combined sacks over the past two seasons.
Joe Don Kirkland (Branson) and Lukas Higgins (Nevada) also return as experienced tackles. Kirkland, a 6‑4, 310‑pound senior, brings continuity to what many consider the Valor’s most veteran offensive unit. Higgins, a 6‑4, 280‑pound senior, received preseason All‑KCAC recognition after an honorable‑mention season in 2024.
Emerging skill positions
Wide receiver Gunner Ellison (Republic) moves from a backup role in 2025 to a more prominent spot in the starting offense. After transferring from Division II Southwest Baptist, Ellison recorded five catches for 53 yards last season. He helped Republic’s Tigers achieve a turnaround in 2022 and now looks to translate that success to the Valor.
Defensive tackle Gennadiy Dudko (Willow Springs) earned a rotational role in 2025 with 11 tackles. This season he has risen to the top spot on the depth chart, adding size and depth to the defensive line.
Looking ahead
Coach Chuck Hepola’s emphasis on recruiting local Ozark talent continues to pay dividends. The blend of seasoned seniors and promising juniors gives Evangel a balanced roster capable of competing for another KCAC title and a deep run in the NAIA playoffs. Fans can catch the opening game at Nixa’s Eagle Stadium, a convenient venue for Springfield-area supporters.
With a schedule that includes several conference powerhouses, the Valor’s performance this fall will be a key indicator of whether the program can sustain its recent dominance—24 wins in the last 28 conference games and two Kessinger Division crowns since joining the KCAC in 2023.
Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.
