OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Missed opportunities cost the Evangel football team Saturday afternoon as they fell, 21-10, at William Penn.
The Crusaders outgained the Statesmen with 299 yards of total offense while William Penn finished with 264. However, Evangel was just 2-of-5 in the red zone and 6-of-18 on third down in the loss.
William Penn took a 7-0 lead into halftime after a six play 48-yard drive was capped by a 33-yard touchdown pass from Eric Cooper to Jesse Bade. The Statesmen would build a 14-0 lead before Blake Woodard found Chase Nugent from 3-yards out to pull within a touchdown in the third quarter.
The Crusaders won the turnover battle picking off William Penn twice and recovering one fumble, although early in the fourth quarter Evangel was also unable to convert after blocking a third punt in three weeks with 14:42 left in the game.
After both teams traded punts, William Penn was able to pull away when Amos Johnson broke loose for a 43-yard touchdown run with 3:11 left in the game. The run-heavy Statesmen finished with 231 yards on the ground and just 33 yards through the air.
Woodard was 22-of-38 passing for 246 yards and one touchdown. The senior quarterback was able to spread the ball around again as 10 different receivers caught a pass led by Chase Nugent with four catches. Brock West caught three passes for 81-yards while Dallas Hester and Noah Pierce also finished with three catches.
The Heart leader in sacks entering the weekend, Josh Evans, added to his total with the lone sack for Evangel on defense. Evans also forced three fumbles and added 4.5 tackles for a loss against the option minded-Statesmen.
Isaiah Daniels finished with 14 tackles while Devon Overall tallied 12 to lead Evangel.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Josh Evans increased his sack total to five on the season, tops in The Heart. He also leads increased his total tackles for a loss with 10.0 on the year.
– The Crusaders have blocked a kick in three straight weeks as Jacob Eden blocked a punt to start the fourth quarter.
– Derek Roberts tied his season long with a 32-yard field goal on Saturday.
– The Evangel defense has forced a fumble in all five games this year and has recovered at least one in every game as well.
– With Chase Nugent's touchdown on Saturday, six different Crusaders have caught a touchdown pass this season. No Evangel player as multiple scores.
– William Penn evens the all-time series against Evangel at 1-1.
