By Nathan Howard
NIXA, Mo. (TaborBluejays.com) – Coming off a season-opening win at home over McPherson last week, one would have to think the Bluejays would go into Saturday’s contest at No. 14 Evangel with quite a bit of momentum, and they would be right in thinking that.
The Valor experienced this right off the bat, as the Bluejay defense forced them to send Jonah Edwards out to try a 25-yard field goal on their third drive of the game with 8:39 on the clock. Tabor answered back with 4:57 to go in the first quarter, as Evangel forced the Bluejays into a similar situation, sending Nathan Heilig to get them their first points of the game, knotting things at three points apiece.
Evangel looked to be able to score once again, but once again TC’s defense held strong, forcing Edwards and the rest of the field goal unit back onto the turf for a 26-yard field goal, giving the Valor a 6-3 lead with 14:04 remaining in the first half. The Bluejays had a chance to tie the game at six but missed the field goal attempt to tie.
The Bluejays ruined Evangel’s touchdown hopes yet again, forcing the Valor to kick another field goal after Tabor’s defense held on 3rd and Goal. Kourtney Craig forced a Valor fumble to help set up the situation.
Tabor’s defense officially caught fire with just over a minute left in the first half as Brandon King picked off Evangel’s Reid Potts and returned it to the house for a 35-yard pick-six and Heilig connected on the PAT attempt to give the Bluejays a 10-9 lead with 36 seconds remaining in the half.
Evangel attempted to drive down the field yet again to try to sneak a quick touchdown in before halftime, but the Tabor defense forced the Valor to settle for a field goal yet again as EU took a slight 12-10 lead going into the break.
King added to his already solid day, grabbing the ball after a fumble by Evangel’s Cameron Harris and taking it to the endzone for a 40-yard fumble-recovery touchdown at the 6:45 mark in the third quarter. Heilig’s PAT gave TC a 17-12 lead.
Kenneth Spring rushed four yards to put the Valor back in control with 1:04 remaining in the quarter. Evangel added two more touchdowns to seal the game, 33-17. Tabor falls to 1-1 with the loss.
The Bluejays return home to Hillsboro and Joel H. Wiens Stadium this coming Saturday as they play host to Bethany in a 6pm kickoff.
Be sure to stay up to date with all information regarding Bluejay Athletics by following us on X at @gotaborbluejays, on Instagram and Facebook @taborbluejays, and on our official athletic website, taborbluejays.com.
Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).
