The KCAC Bissell Division is shaping up to be one of the most competitive divisions in all of NAIA football for 2025. With the recent divisional realignment, the new-look division now features three teams that qualified for the NAIA Championship Series last fall, and a fourth that remained in contention late into the season. There are four teams in the division that are capable of winning the conference title.
Friends University proved last season that they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the NAIA. Their 21-17 loss to eventual national champion Grand View University was the Vikings’ narrowest margin of victory all year. Much of Friends’ success stems from their physical, high-energy style of play on both sides of the ball. The Falcons return 10 starters on offense and nine on defense. Quarterback K’Vonte Baker will lead a potent rushing attack, aided by running back Elias Pino. Defensively, look for big performances from Demario Sims (DE), Andrew Arnold (LB), Sy Aponte (DB), and Brock Zerger (DB). Friends will once again be a force to reckon with.
Southwestern College had an equally impressive 2024 campaign, defeating St. Francis (Ind.) in the first round of the playoffs and narrowly falling to Indiana Wesleyan in the second. The Moundbuilders return eight starters on offense, though they’ll have to replace veteran quarterback Braden Howell. Whoever takes over under center will have a talented receiving corps to work with—Bryce Chambers, Matt Holthusen, Joe Smyth, and Christian Steward all return. On defense, Coach Brad Griffin brings back seven starters from a unit that ranked among the NAIA’s best. Linebacker Isaiah Yehudah returns after recording 75 tackles, while defensive lineman Carl Malvo Jr. anchors the front after posting 31 tackles, 3 sacks, and 7.5 tackles for loss.
Kansas Wesleyan had a rollercoaster 2024 season—one that will be remembered for years to come. Despite undergoing a midseason coaching change and finishing the year with co-interim head coaches, the Coyotes still made the postseason. Now under the direction of new head coach Matt Middleton, who brings a proven track record of success, KWU looks to continue building momentum. All eyes will be on how the Coyotes start the 2025 season and grow under Middleton’s leadership. All-American RB Luke Armstrong will be a key focus of the offense in 2025 with Easton Lewis on the offensive line. Joshua King-Bradley returns to the defense after an All-American season in 2024.
McPherson College went 8-3 in 2024 and just missed a playoff berth. With 11 total starters returning, they’ll be right back in the conversation in 2025. Their offensive strength lies in their skill positions with Jalil Brown (RB), Traven Lewis-Johnson (WR), and Kam Hamid (WR) all returning. However, they’ll need to find a new leader at quarterback following the graduation of Tristan Szabo, who had been a key contributor for several seasons. Defensively, Lester Amos (DT), Brandon Jones (LB), and Kirby Lewis (CB) provide a solid foundation for the Bulldogs.
The University of Saint Mary finished just 1-9 last season but brings back 15 total starters, including eight on offense. Quarterback Erick Covington will lead the unit, with running back Jartavious Martin—who missed 2024—expected to return and provide a spark. The defense, which gave up 36.7 points per game last year, must improve significantly if the Spires are to be more competitive in 2025. Experience could be their biggest asset.
Sterling College ended the 2024 season at 2-9 under first-year head coach Reggie Langford Jr. While the record wasn’t what they hoped for, the foundation for growth has been laid. Langford continues to establish his culture and recruit players who fit his system. The Warriors are trending upward and should be a more competitive program in the KCAC this fall.
Dannelly’s KCAC Bissell Division Predictions
- Friends
- Southwestern
- Kansas Wesleyan
- McPherson
- Saint Mary
- Sterling
KCAC Bissell Division Team Profiles
Friends University (2024 Record: 11-2)
Head Coach: Terry Harrison (53-26)
Offensive Coordinator: Eric Kelly
Defensive Coordinator: Paul Kempf
Special Teams Coordinator: Mason Murray
Returning Starters on Offense: 10
Key Offensive Returners: QB K’Vonte Baker; RB Elias Pino; OL Kyree Watkins
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: OL Dyllon Phillips
Returning Starters on Defense: 9
Key Defensive Returners: DE Demario Sims; LB Andrew Arnold; DB Sy Aponte; DB Brock Zerger
Key Losses on Defense: DB Nolan Ewing; DB Braden Gordon
Key Returners on Special Teams: PR Michael Lopez; LS Braelyn Jay
Key Losses on Special Teams: NA
Key Recruits or Transfers: OL Cole Herman (Bethel College); DE Jairo Castillo (Bethel College); DL Tae Garland (McPherson College); WR DJ Pearson (Blinn College); OL Doug Grider (Bethel College) played DL but will move to OL for FU; RB Scott Grider; RB Ederian Sykes (Concordia-Chicago)
Kansas Wesleyan (2024 Record: 7-5)
Head Coach: Matt Middleton
Offensive Coordinator: Boomer Cunningham
Defensive Coordinator: Matt Middleton
Special Teams Coordinator: Ben Blahauvietz
McPherson College (2024 Record: 8-3)
Head Coach: Jeremiah Fiscus (32-28)
Offensive Coordinator: Josh Pisik – co-oc; Chris Jenkins co-oc
Defensive Coordinator: Mitch Leppke
Returning Starters on Offense: 6
Key Offensive Returners: Chris Foster – OC; Jalil Brown – RB; Traven Lewis-Johnson – WR; Kam Hamid – WR
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Tristan Szabo – QB; Harley Blaske – TE; King Moore & Chris Shaw – OT’s
Returning Starters on Defense: 5
Key Defensive Returners: Lester Amos – DT; Brandon Jones – LB; Kirby Lewis – CB
Key Losses on Defense: Nehemiah Figurora – SAF / Avery Crawford – Nickle / Cameron Fouts – DE
Key Losses on Special Teams: Kevin Dodd – Punter
Southwestern College (2024 Record: 11-2)
Head Coach: Brad Griffin (65-44)
Offensive Coordinator: Ryan Nelson
Defensive Coordinator: Drew Smith
Special Teams Coordinator: Drew Smith
Returning Starters on Offense: 8
Key Offensive Returners: Bryce Chambers- WR, Matt Holthusen- WR, Joe Smyth- WR, Christian Steward- WR, Austin Tener- OL, Arnie Portillo- OL
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Jarius Burnette- RB, Braden Howell- QB, Martez Jones- RB, Josh Edson- WR
Returning Starters on Defense: 7
Key Defensive Returners: Carl Malvo Jr- DL, Britt Wittschen- DB, Coco McCoy- DB, Dre Flowers- LB, Isaiah Yehudah- LB, Corbin Williams- LB
Key Losses on Defense: Jacardon Hardemon- DL, Deago Stubbs- DB, Gimarion Hutson- DB, Joey Mars- LB, Cam Cornelius- LB
Key Returners on Special Teams: Jeremiah Schaefer- K/P, Christian Steward- KR, Noah Roberts- PR
Key Losses on Special Teams: Nick Strong- LS
Sterling College (2024 Record: 2-9)
Head Coach: Reggie Langford Jr.
Offensive Coordinator: Reggie Langford Jr.
Defensive Coordinator:
Special Teams Coordinator: Todd Fulton
University of Saint Mary (2024 Record: 1-9)
Head Coach: Lance Hinson
Offensive Coordinator: Taylor Calvert
Defensive Coordinator: Lance Hinson
Special Teams Coordinator: Lance Hinson
Returning Starters on Offense: 8
Key Offensive Returners: Erick Covington QB, Tyler Staats OL, Jalin Scott OL, Bull Newton OL, Aidan Duhon WR, Jartavious Martin RB
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: RJ Webster RB, RJ Smith OL
Returning Starters on Defense: 7
Key Defensive Returners: Matty Lopez DL, Aidan Arnold LB, Deante Nobles DB
Key Losses on Defense: Jaxon Curtis DB
Key Returners on Special Teams: Josh Bingham K, Bryce Godfrey K
Key Losses on Special Teams: N/A
Key Recruits or Transfers: Santea Hollis LB, Wyatt Ramsey LB,
