SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel football coaching staff welcomed a talented recruiting class Wednesday, adding commitments from 24 prep standouts for the 2022 season.
The 2022 class is made up again of talent from Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington.
“The culture and tradition we continue to build at Evangel always allow us to attract and sign championship-caliber student-athletes,” EU head coach Chuck Hepola stated. “This has been another successful year of adding character and talent. Identifying and pursuing position needs are always a priority for each recruiting class.”
“Through the hard work and tireless efforts of our coaching staff and support staff, we feel like we were able to fill the natural void due to graduation,” Hepola added. “This 2022 class is talented and blending them together with our current roster generates a great deal of excitement for the future of Evangel Valor football.”
Game times and dates for the 2022 season will be announced at a later date.
Below are biographies of the recruits:
Parker Aguilera // ATH // 5-10 // 170 // Lighthouse Christian Academy // Springfield, Mo.
Highlights:
• Helped lead Lighthouse Christian to a Homeschool national championship
• National Homeschool Player of the Year honoree
• National Homeschool First-Team All-American (QB)
• Team Captain
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11059041/61a51ac67bddcd0f64394767
Matt Allen // QB // 5-10 // 185 // DeSoto HS // DeSoto, Texas
Highlights:
• First-Team All-District pick
• Academic All-State selection
• 2,800 career passing yards and 50 touchdowns
Video: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Fqj6k
Jaden Aven // LB // 5-11 // 230 // Nixa HS // Nixa, Mo.
Highlights:
• Second-Team All-Central Ozark Conference selection
• Second-Team All-Area honoree
• Second-Team Missouri Class 6 SWMFBCA pick
Video: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15990981/618d683790efa00bc88f4eef
Spencer Barnes // DB // 6-1 // 170 // Rogers HS // East Puyallup, Wash.
Highlights:
• Honorable Mention All-SPSL pick
• 56 tackles, 2 interceptions
Video: http://www.hudl.com/v/2GJSfS
Trent Boatright // QB // 6-1 // 180 // McAlester HS // McAlester, Okla.
Highlights:
• First-Team Oklahoma 5A All-State honoree
• Oklahoma 5A state runner-up
• First-Team All-District pick
• Team Captain
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8089934/61b651843864150d70249da8
Sam Brower // OL // 6-0 // 350 // Nixa HS // Nixa, Mo.
Highlights:
• Second-Team Missouri Class 6 SWMFBCA honoree
Video: http://www.hudl.com/v/2GRFv4
Carson Combs // DL // 6-1 // 225 // Logan-Rogersville HS // Rogersville, Mo.
Highlights:
• Second-Team All-Conference honoree
• Second-Team All-District pick
• Honorable Mention All-Region selection
Video: http://www.hudl.com/v/2GArXc
Landon Crudgington // OL // 6-5 // 300 // Willow Springs HS // Willow Springs, Mo.
Highlights:
• All-District pick
• All-Region honoree
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11558651/61a66734578d7b0b842d73a6
Mason Denning // WR // 5-8 // 170 // Strafford HS // Strafford, Mo.
Highlights:
• First-Team All-Mid-Lakes Conference (DB) honoree
• First-Team All-District (DB) pick
• Second-Team All-Mid-Lakes Conference (RB) honoree
• Honorable Mention All-Region SWMFBCA selection
• Academic All-State selection
Video: http://hudl.com/profile/8326909/Mason-Denning
Marcus Duncan // DL // 6-0 // 185 // Neosho HS // Neosho, Mo.
Highlights:
• Second-Team All-Central Ozark Conference honoree
• Honorable Mention All-District selection
• All-Region pick
• NXT Level Media First-Team Defense honoree
Video: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11526234/6184177047982106281e2f26
Javion Franklin // DB // 5-11 // 160 // Broken Arrow HS // Broken Arrow, Okla.
Highlights:
• Helped lead high school team to 8-4 record and second-place district finish
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11132434/Javion-Franklin
Gerry Harris // OL // 6-6 // 320 // Star City HS // Grady, Ark.
Highlights:
• All-Conference selection
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11636743/61b236cf6e8bc5083cc6cd70
Elijah Hellwig // WR // 6-0 // 155 // Hebron HS // Carrollton, Texas
Highlights:
• Two-year letterwinner in track and football
Video: http://www.hudl.com/v/2FXYg7
Lukas Higgins // OL // 6-3 // 225 // Nevada HS // Nevada, Mo.
Highlights:
• Helped high school team to 9-3 record, district runner-up finish
Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14704677/Lukas-Higgins
Joe-Don Kirkland // OL // 6-4 // 280 // Branson HS // Branson, Mo.
Highlights:
● First-Team All-District honoree
● Missouri Class 5 All-State selection
● All-Central Ozark Conference pick
● Branson Football Lineman of the Year
● 2021 SWMFBCA All-Area honoree
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8009167/619b181142061a0158ad5fed
Joshua Leazer // WR // 6-5 // 181 // West Plains HS // West Plains, Mo.
Highlights:
● All-Ozark Conference selection
● All-District pick
● Academic All-State honoree
Video: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/12975127/6170cec434535404e8f72378
Quintin Morris // DL // 6-3 // 240 // DeSoto HS // DeSoto, Texas
Highlights:
● Helped DeSoto to an 11-3 record, runner-up Texas 6A Division I Region II finish
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13504455/6122ed86da52800c48e34cab
Chris Neal // LB // 6-0 // 195 // Richland HS // North Richland Hills, Texas
Highlights:
● Rated one of the top linebackers in the state of Texas, according to Lonestarpreps.com
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15054439/5f9d75ef041d8908b88e8d6f
Brody Patterson // DB // 5-11 // 160 // Mountain Home HS // Mountain Home, Ark.
Highlights:
● Team’s leading tackler
● Second-Team All-Conference pick
● Conference champion in track and field (110 and 300 hurdles)
● State runner-up in 300 hurdles
Video: http://www.hudl.com/v/2GLpyu
Trey Proctor // DL // 6-4 // 260 // Star City HS // Star City, Ark.
Highlights:
● Arkansas 8-4A MVP Defensive Lineman
Video: http://www.hudl.com/v/2GYt9b
Devin Shaw // DL // 6-1 // 260 // Broken Arrow HS // Broken Arrow, Okla.
Highlights:
● Team Captain
● Honorable Mention All-District selection
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14868210/61ad1a9964df76065c0df1e2
Eric Williams II // RB // 6-0 // 205 // Nimitz HS // Irving, Texas
Highlights:
● First-Team All-District Texas 6A honoree
● 1,400 rushing yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry
● 12 touchdowns
Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11277416/61d24015345274053c560244
Caleb Woods // DL // 5-11 // 260 // Rejoice Christian HS // Collinsville, Okla.
Highlights:
● Oklahoma 2A All-State selection
● Two-time First-Team All-District pick
Video: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/8556727/61a6ca6fd45e3a032cf82053
Brance Wunstell // OL // 6-3 // 280 // South Terrebonne HS // Houma, La.
Highlights:
● Second-Team All-State (Louisiana Sportsline)
● Honorable Mention All-State (Sports Writers)
● First-Team All-District
● Second-Team All-Region
● Team Captain
● Recorded 17 pancake blocks and 10 knockdowns without yielding a sack as a senior
