The Mid-States Football Association’s Mideast Division can be summed up pretty simply over the past few years: a couple of solid teams—and then Indiana Wesleyan. The Wildcats have been head and shoulders above the other five teams in the division, and I don’t expect that to change this year.
Indiana Wesleyan returns just five starters on offense, which is below average, but the core group of offensive linemen and skill players is strong enough for another run at being one of the top teams in the NAIA. Wide receiver Issac Smith returns as a deep threat, while running back Ryan Whitwell is expected to handle the bulk of the carries. Up front, Logan Penhollow, Drew Piddy, and Isaiah Courtois anchor the offensive line. Quarterback Arjun Lothe, who saw significant action last season as a backup, takes over as the full-time starter. Defensively, IWU returns only three starters but has a strong nucleus with defensive ends Anthony Cheeseborough and Garrett Hathaway, cornerback Daveon Turner, and safety Deven Arevalo.
Taylor University is coming off a dream season that nearly ended with an NAIA Championship Series berth. Though they fell just short, that near miss should motivate the Trojans this fall. Taylor returns six starters on both offense and defense as they push for a postseason breakthrough. Quarterback Damon Hockett leads an offense that averaged 48.4 points per game last season. He’ll have his top target back in wide receiver Jack D’Arcy, who hauled in 25 receptions last year. All-American offensive lineman Jonathan Grubbs returns to anchor the line, joined by tight end Nathan Munson. On defense, the Trojans must improve on the 32.2 points per game they allowed. Getting over that hump is essential if they want to reach the playoffs. Defensive backs Reid Messer, Wade Jones, and David Worlds return, along with linebacker Grady Stanley.
Siena Heights faces the unique challenge of pulling everything together for one final season, as the school and football program will cease operations after the upcoming school year. It’s a tough position for Head Coach Matt Kohn, but he’s the kind of leader who could inspire something special. The Saints return seven offensive starters and eight on defense. Quarterback Elijah Taylor leads the offense after averaging 187 passing yards and tossing 16 touchdowns last season. On defense, Siena Heights returns its top two tacklers, linebackers Tanner Rubinstein and Clarke Hamilton.
Lawrence Tech finished 2-8 last season but often played better than their record suggested. New head coach Oscar Olejniczak takes over the program this fall, which returns eight total starters. Quarterback Ryan Schuster leads the offense, with protection from lineman Dylan Tayner. His primary target will be wide receiver Tyler Garrett. The defense returns four starters, led by linebacker Brody Snyder and defensive back Ze’Veon McDonald. Stability will be key for LTU, which is now on its third head coach in three years. If the Blue Devils are going to improve, they’ll need consistency across the board.
Defiance College is a team poised for moderate improvement as it enters its second year in both the NAIA and the MSFA. The first year always comes with challenges—new opponents, unfamiliar travel, and a learning curve—but Head Coach Bill Nickell’s squad should be more competitive this fall and could surprise a few teams along the way.
Madonna University is working to climb out of the basement of the NAIA and the MSFA. The Crusaders are currently on a 40-game losing streak, with their only win since the program began in 2020 coming via forfeit against Trinity International. That said, Madonna is getting closer. Last year, they were a two-point conversion away from defeating Judson and were competitive in several games. It takes time and consistency to build a program, but in year two under Head Coach Brett Guminsky, I’m predicting the streak will end before the season is over.
Dannelly’s MSFA Mideast Predictions
- Indiana Wesleyan
- Taylor
- Siena Heights
- Defiance College
- Lawrence Tech
- Madonna
MSFA Mideast Profiles
Defiance College (2024 Record: 4-7)
Head Coach: Bill Nickell
Offensive Coordinator: Dion Black
Defensive Coordinator: Dave Taynor
Indiana Wesleyan University (2024 Record: 11-2)
Head Coach: Andrew Rode (22-4)
Offensive Coordinator: Travis Palmer
Defensive Coordinator: Austin Taylor
Special Teams Coordinator: Devin Bacchus
Returning Starters on Offense: 5
Key Offensive Returners: Isaac Smith WR, Logan Penhollow OL, Drew Priddy OL, Isaiah Courtois OL, Ryan Whitwell RB
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Levi Tidwell WR, Will Angel OL (Rimington Award Winner), Tristen Hayes TE, Roosevelt Cage RB
Returning Starters on Defense: 3
Key Defensive Returners: Anthony Cheeseborough DE, Daveon Turner CB, Deven Arevalo Safety, Garrett Hathaway DE
Key Losses on Defense: Neil Campbell CB, Preston Sykes Safety, Clayton Mosher, LB, Luke Bays LB, Drake Deshetsky LB, Robbie Hunter DT, Caleb Williams DE
Key Returners on Special Teams: Josh Clifton K
Key Losses on Special Teams: Isaiah Hayes Long Snapper
Lawrence Technological University (2024 Record: 2-8)
Head Coach: Oscar Olejniczak (0-0)
Offensive Coordinator: Oscar Olejniczak
Defensive Coordinator: Kyle Nystrom
Returning Starters on Offense: 4
Key Offensive Returners: QB – Ryan Schuster, OL – Dylan Taynor, WR – Tyler Garrett
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: OL – Bronson Su’a, Curtis Maxwell and Ryan Bareis, RB – D’Vaun Bentley
Returning Starters on Defense: 4
Key Defensive Returners: LB – Brody Snyder, DB – Ze’Veon McDonald
Key Losses on Defense: LB – Sylvester Jones, DB – Ronnell Lackey
Key Returners on Special Teams: K – Vincent Robison
Key Recruits or Transfers: Transfers: DB – Ralph Gaston, WR – Bailey Brooks
Madonna (2024 Record: 0-11)
Head Coach: Brett Guminsky
Offensive Coordinator: Philip Guel
Defensive Coordinator: Matt Strzalkowski
Special Teams Coordinator: Kevin O’Donnell
Siena Heights University (2024 Record: 3-7)
Head Coach: Matt Kohn
Offensive Coordinator: Jacob Dopsovic
Defensive Coordinator: EJ Shaah
Special Teams Coordinator: Andrew McGaughy
Returning Starters on Offense: 7
Key Offensive Returners: Credell Prather, Elijah Taylor
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Jack Majewski
Returning Starters on Defense: 8
Key Defensive Returners: Tanner Rubinstein, Clark Hamilton, Amir Stewart
Key Losses on Defense: George Talley
Key Returners on Special Teams: Tanner Roop
Key Losses on Special Teams: David Medvedik
Key Recruits or Transfers: Jobe Benschoter, TE. Noah Thomas, OT
Taylor University (2024 Record: 9-2)
Head Coach: Aaron Mingo (19-24)
Offensive Coordinator: Josh Flannery
Defensive Coordinator: Jared Boddie
Special Teams Coordinator: Adam Langvardt
Returning Starters on Offense: 6
Key Offensive Returners: Damon Hockett QB, Jonathan Grubbs OL, Nathan Munson TE, Jack D’arcy WR,
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Jameson Chesser RB, Dakohta Sonnichsen WR, Joey Breckel OL, Brody Crosby, OL
Returning Starters on Defense: 6
Key Defensive Returners: Reid Messer DB, David Worlds DB, Grady Stanley LB, Wade Jones DB
Key Losses on Defense: Aven Jones LB, Jacob Hockett LB, Jeremiah Mansfield DL, Parker Whitby DL
Key Returners on Special Teams: Carter Loveless P, Lucas Shilts K, Jonathan Harris KR, Jack D’arcy PR
How strong is this conference? Take out Taylor and Indiana Wesleyan and the remaining four teams are a combined 9-23, less wins than IW.