The Evangel football team continues to climb the NAIA Coaches Poll Monday moving up two spots to No. 8 in the latest top 25 released by the organization.
The Crusaders moved to 5-0 after a 20-17 victory over Culver-Stockton on Saturday and hold their highest ranking in over a decade. Evangel opened the 2006 preseason ranked sixth after checking in at No. 8 in the 2005 postseason poll.
The top five of the poll remained the same as Saint Francis (Ind.) continues to hold the top spot followed by Morningside (Iowa) and No. 3 Southern Oregon. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and Northwestern (Iowa) round out the top five with Marian (Ind) and last year’s national runner-up Reinhardt (Ga.) sitting in front of the Crusaders at No. 7.
Evangel leads four Heart of America teams ranked in the top 25 with Grand View at No. 10, Baker at No. 11 and Benedictine at No. 16. The Crusaders also hold wins over Grand View and Benedictine.
The Crusaders head to Iowa to face William Penn on Saturday in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
