Dixon Headlines Sterling All-Conference Selections as Special Teams Player of the Year
WICHITA, Kan. – The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference is pleased to announce the 2023 KCAC Football All-Conference honorees and individual award winners, as voted on by the conference's football head coaches.
Evangel University won the Dr. Ted Kessinger Division, taking home their division title with a 5-0 record against division opponents, as part of an 11-0 overall record. Ottawa University and Kansas Wesleyan University shared the Franklin "Gene" Bissell division title, with both teams recording a 4-1 record in division play. The Valor and the Braves moved forward to the NAIA Football Championship Series.
K'Vonte Baker of Friends University was named the KCAC Football Player of the Year. Baker led the KCAC and NAIA in rushing touchdowns (25), while ranking first in the KCAC and third in the NAIA in rushing yards per game (115.3). Baker led a Falcon offense that led the nation in rushing (419.2 yards per game) and was the third-highest scoring offense in the NAIA (46.3 points per game).
Dillon Hester of Evangel University earned the KCAC Football Offensive Player of the Year honor, leading the conference in receiving yards per game (90.8) and receiving touchdowns (13). He ranks 10th in the NAIA in receiving yards per game and is tied for fourth in the nation in receiving touchdowns.
His teammate, Bradley Myers, took home the KCAC Football Defensive Player of the Year award following a season in which he led the NAIA in total tackles (139) and tackles per game (12.6). He also tallied 11.5 tackles for loss on the season, including 4.5 sacks. Myers also forced three fumbles this season.
Trey Dixon of Sterling College was named the KCAC Football Special Teams Player of the Year. Dixon returned 28 kicks for 733 yards, good for a 26.2-yard average, scoring two kick return touchdowns this season.
Mario Quintero of Bethel College was named the Dr. Ted Kessinger Champion of Character award recipient.
Jeremy Desoto, the defensive coordinator for Evangel, was named the KCAC Football Assistant Coach of the Year, while the Valor's head coach, Chuck Hepola, was named the Coach of the Year by his peers.
The full list of All-Conference first team, second team, and honorable mention winners, as voted on by the KCAC head football coaches, are listed below.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
POSITION |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
|
K'Vonte Baker |
Friends University |
QB |
So. |
Wichita, Kan. |
|
RJ Wakley |
Evangel University |
QB |
R-Sr. |
Tulsa, Okla. |
|
Wynton Ruth |
Ottawa University |
RB |
Sr. |
Little Rock, Ark. |
|
Elias Pino |
Friends University |
RB |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
|
Jartavious Martin |
University of Saint Mary |
RB |
Jr. |
Foxworth, Miss. |
|
Laken Clowdus |
Friends University |
FB |
Sr. |
Bartlesville, Okla. |
|
Dillon Hester (U) |
Evangel University |
WR |
R-Jr. |
Strafford, Mo. |
|
Andre Jones |
Southwestern College |
WR |
Sr. |
Austin, Texas |
|
Michael Gazzana |
University of Saint Mary |
WR |
R-Fr. |
Las Vegas, Nev. |
|
Andrew Holden |
Evangel University |
TE |
R-Jr. |
Mountain View, Mo. |
|
Keegan Martin (U) |
Friends University |
OL |
Sr. |
Yale, Okla. |
|
CJ Anoa'i |
Evangel University |
OL |
Jr. |
Springfield, Mo. |
|
Earon Garcia |
Southwestern College |
OL |
Sr. |
Wichita, Kan. |
|
Ryan Junkermeier |
Bethel College |
OL |
Sr. |
Plainville, Kan. |
|
Kel Stroud |
Friends University |
OL |
Jr. |
Chapman, Kan. |
(U) designates a Unanimous First Team honoree.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
POSITION |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
|
Zach Myers (U) |
Evangel University |
DL |
Jr. |
Lee's Summit, Mo. |
|
Ricardo Garcia |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
DL |
Jr. |
Reno, Nev. |
|
Shane Rodriguez |
Southwestern College |
DL |
Sr. |
McLoud, Okla. |
|
Josh King-Bradley |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
DL |
So. |
Mont Belvieu, Texas |
|
Bradley Myers |
Evangel University |
LB |
R-Jr. |
Lee's Summit, Mo. |
|
Kade Miller |
Bethel College |
LB |
Sr. |
Osborne, Kan. |
|
AJ Hemphill |
Ottawa University |
LB |
Jr. |
Strasburg, Colo |
|
Josh Carter |
Southwestern College |
LB |
Sr. |
Wichita, Kan. |
|
Trey Palmer (U) |
Friends University |
DB |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
|
Nehemiah Figueroa |
McPherson College |
DB |
R-Jr. |
Boyertown, Pa. |
|
Nate Swofford |
Evangel University |
DB |
Jr. |
Ava, Mo. |
|
Brenden Sanders |
Bethel College |
DB |
Sr. |
Round Rock, Texas |
(U) designates a Unanimous First Team honoree.
FIRST TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
POSITION |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
|
Trevon Madison |
Bethel College |
UTL |
Jr. |
Detroit, Mich. |
|
Brooks Gardner |
Tabor College |
LS |
Sr. |
Hillsboro, Kan. |
|
Vincent McTigue |
University of Saint Mary |
P |
Jr. |
Sparks, Nev. |
|
Jonah Edwards |
Evangel University |
K |
Jr. |
Tulsa, Okla. |
|
Sterling College |
KR |
So. |
Killeen, Texas |
|
|
Trey Palmer |
Friends University |
PR |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
POSITION |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
|
DJ Ciers |
Bethel College |
QB |
Jr. |
Houston, Texas |
|
Sammy Robinson |
Evangel University |
RB |
Sr. |
Mt. Vernon, Mo. |
|
Jett Cheatham |
Friends University |
RB |
Jr. |
Enid, Okla. |
|
Nick Allsman |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
RB |
Jr. |
Belleville, Kan. |
|
Eric Williams |
Evangel University |
FB |
So. |
Irving, Texas |
|
Trevon Madison |
Bethel College |
WR |
Jr. |
Detroit, Mich. |
|
Jayden Johnson |
Ottawa University |
WR |
Fr. |
Jenks, Okla. |
|
Broc Lyle |
Evangel University |
WR |
Fr. |
Rolla, Mo. |
|
Harley Blaske |
McPherson College |
TE |
R-Jr. |
Sylvia, Kan. |
|
Daniel Sanchez |
Ottawa University |
OL |
Jr. |
Dallas, Texas |
|
Kyree Watkins |
Friends University |
OL |
Jr. |
Atlanta, Ga. |
|
Chris Shaw |
McPherson College |
OL |
R-Jr. |
Scotts Valley, Calif. |
|
Ruben Almendarez |
Bethany College |
OL |
So. |
Harlingen, Texas |
|
Cor'Darius Wright |
Avila University |
OL |
Jr. |
Jackson, La. |
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
POSITION |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
|
Doug Grider |
Bethel College |
DL |
Jr. |
Halstead, Kan. |
|
Sterling College |
DL |
Jr. |
Ferris, Texas |
|
|
James Gladden |
Ottawa University |
DL |
Jr. |
Chattanooga, Tenn. |
|
Jario Castillo Jr. |
Bethel College |
DL |
Jr. |
Houston, Texas |
|
Charles "Ricco" Moore |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
LB |
Sr. |
Ocean Springs, Miss. |
|
Marquis Willoughby |
McPherson College |
LB |
Sr. |
Brooklyn, N.Y. |
|
Brooks Gardner |
Tabor College |
LB |
Sr. |
Hillsboro, Kan. |
|
Sterling College |
LB |
Jr. |
Henrietta, Texas |
|
|
Kevin Wade |
Ottawa University |
DB |
Sr. |
Fontana, Calif. |
|
Nolan Ewing |
Friends University |
DB |
Sr. |
Spring Hill, Kan. |
|
Deago Stubbs |
Southwestern College |
DB |
So. |
Las Vegas, Nev. |
|
Brandon King |
Tabor College |
DB |
R-Fr. |
Carthage, Texas |
SECOND TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
POSITION |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
|
Brysen Kerby |
McPherson College |
UTL |
So. |
Big Spring, Texas |
|
Killian Grimm |
Friends University |
LS |
Sr. |
Salinas, Calif. |
|
Kevin Dodd |
McPherson College |
P |
R-So. |
Tecumseh, Okla. |
|
Brodrick Smith |
Tabor College |
P |
R-Fr. |
Purcell, Okla. |
|
Nathaniel Heilig |
Tabor College |
K |
Jr. |
Bastrop, Texas |
|
Trevon Madison |
Bethel College |
KR |
Jr. |
Detroit, Mich. |
|
Trey Palmer |
Friends University |
KR |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
|
Trevon Madison |
Bethel College |
PR |
Jr. |
Detroit, Mich. |
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
POSITION |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
|
Eli Williams |
Avila University |
QB |
So. |
Sapulpa, Okla. |
|
Braden Howell |
Southwestern College |
QB |
Sr. |
Wichita, Kan. |
|
Erick Covington |
University of Saint Mary |
QB |
So. |
Aurora, Colo. |
|
Tristan Szabo |
McPherson College |
QB |
Jr. |
Sparks, Nev. |
|
Jahkese Watkins |
Avila University |
RB |
Sr. |
Hillsboro, Ala. |
|
Zamarion Spencer |
Bethany College |
RB |
Fr. |
West Helena, Ark. |
|
Kayden Christiansen |
Bethel College |
RB |
Sr. |
Lakin, Kan. |
|
Malaki Peko |
Ottawa University |
RB |
Sr. |
Faga'itua, Tutuila Island (AS) |
|
Jordan Bolden |
Tabor College |
RB |
Jr. |
Tallahassee, Fla. |
|
Scott Grider |
Bethel College |
RB |
Jr. |
Halstead, Kan. |
|
Cody Baxter |
Bethel College |
FB |
Sr. |
Saint Francis, Kan. |
|
Zach Dressler |
Friends University |
FB |
Sr. |
Douglass, Kan. |
|
Luke Armstrong |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
FB |
So. |
Carlsbad, Calif. |
|
Kareem Chambers |
Avila University |
TE |
Jr. |
Tampa, Fla. |
|
AJ Carreon |
Avila University |
TE |
Jr. |
El Monte, Calif. |
|
Jaquante Pitts |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
TE |
Sr. |
Miami, Fla. |
|
Josh Boyanton |
Southwestern College |
TE |
Jr. |
Mustang, Okla. |
|
Alejandro Martinez-Loera |
University of Saint Mary |
TE |
Sr. |
San Jose, Calif. |
|
Jalen Thach |
Avila University |
WR |
Jr. |
Dededo, Guam |
|
Michael Young |
Bethany College |
WR |
Fr. |
Mansfield, Texas |
|
Kevin Green |
Friends University |
WR |
Sr. |
Waxahachie, Texas |
|
Rhadarious Lomax-Spivey |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
WR |
Jr. |
Aurora, Ill. |
|
Traven Lewis-Johnson |
McPherson College |
WR |
So. |
Montgomery, Texas |
|
De'Anthony Curtis |
Ottawa University |
WR |
Fr. |
South Gate, Calif. |
|
Matthew Holthusen |
Southwestern College |
WR |
So. |
Wichita, Kan. |
|
Josh Edson |
Southwestern College |
WR |
Jr. |
Newton, Kan. |
|
Ziyon Kenner |
Southwestern College |
WR |
Sr. |
Bowling Green, Ky. |
|
Deonte Hill |
Tabor College |
WR |
Jr. |
Temple Hills, Md. |
|
Sterling College |
WR |
Sr. |
Colorado Springs, Colo. |
|
|
Tucker Smith |
Bethel College |
WR |
Sr. |
Muscotah, Kan. |
|
Christopher Willis |
Avila University |
OL |
Jr. |
Inglewood, Calif. |
|
Loggan Birch |
Bethel College |
OL |
Jr. |
Burleson, Texas |
|
Cole Herman |
Bethel College |
OL |
Jr. |
Halstead, Kan. |
|
Gerry Harris |
Evangel University |
OL |
So. |
Star City, Ark. |
|
Dominic Dawson |
Evangel University |
OL |
So. |
Mt. Vernon, Mo. |
|
Colin Cook |
Evangel University |
OL |
Jr. |
Baton Rogue, La. |
|
Stephen Acosta |
Friends University |
OL |
Sr. |
Clovis, N.M. |
|
Dawson Adams |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
OL |
So. |
Hooks, Texas |
|
Alvin Poole |
McPherson College |
OL |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
|
Donovan Henry |
Ottawa University |
OL |
Jr. |
Jacksonville, Fla. |
|
Trevar Koncher |
Ottawa University |
OL |
Jr. |
South Ogden, Utah |
|
Madrid Steele |
Ottawa University |
OL |
Jr. |
Madisonville, La. |
|
Penilotu Asaeli |
Southwestern College |
OL |
Jr. |
Euless, Texas |
|
RJ Smith |
University of Saint Mary |
OL |
R-Jr. |
Northport, Ala. |
|
TJ Osa |
Ottawa University |
OL |
So. |
Junction City, Kan. |
|
Jontrell Casimere |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
OL |
Jr. |
Houston, Texas |
|
Christopher Huslig |
University of Saint Mary |
OL |
R-Jr. |
Eudora, Kan. |
|
Lennie Boykin |
Bethany College |
OL |
So. |
Newberry, Fla. |
|
Jayden Ramos |
Avila University |
OL |
Jr. |
Kihei, Hawaii |
|
Kenyon Vigil |
Friends University |
OL |
So. |
Amarillo, Texas |
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
POSITION |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
|
Ishe Smith Jr. |
Avila University |
DL |
Jr. |
Las Vegas, Nev. |
|
David Sweetman |
Bethany College |
DL |
Fr. |
San Tan Valley, Ariz. |
|
Ernest Ferrier III |
Bethel College |
DL |
Sr. |
Humble, Texas |
|
Dominique Puentes |
Evangel University |
DL |
Jr. |
The Colony, Texas |
|
Demarieo Sims |
Friends University |
DL |
So. |
Cedartown, Ga. |
|
Marco Torres |
Friends University |
DL |
Jr. |
Laredo, Texas |
|
Taeylon Garland |
McPherson College |
DL |
R-Sr. |
Fort Hood, Texas |
|
Jensen Riffel |
Ottawa University |
DL |
Jr. |
Lincolnville, Kan. |
|
Darren Hicks |
Southwestern College |
DL |
Sr. |
Haughton, La. |
|
Jacardon Hardemon |
Southwestern College |
DL |
Jr. |
Bentonville, Ark. |
|
Sterling College |
DL |
Jr. |
Canberra, Australia |
|
|
Tyree Jenkins |
University of Saint Mary |
DL |
Sr. |
Roseville, Calif. |
|
Christian Coggs |
Ottawa University |
DL |
Jr. |
Lenexa, Kan. |
|
Kyair Warner |
Evangel University |
DL |
Jr. |
The Colony, Texas |
|
Jacob Goad |
McPherson College |
DL |
R-Jr. |
Sapulpa, Okla. |
|
Dennis Johnson |
Avila University |
LB |
Sr. |
Fort Wayne, Ind. |
|
Terry McCutcheon |
Bethany College |
LB |
Fr. |
West, Texas |
|
Tate Seabolt |
Bethel College |
LB |
Jr. |
Cimarron, Kan. |
|
Ian Ary |
Evangel University |
LB |
R-Sr. |
West Plains, Mo. |
|
Shamarius Davis |
Friends University |
LB |
Jr. |
Birmingham, Ala. |
|
Andrew Arnold |
Friends University |
LB |
So. |
Antlers, Okla. |
|
Quatama Massaquoi |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
LB |
Jr. |
Pittsburg, Calif. |
|
Dreshawn Flowers |
Southwestern College |
LB |
So. |
McAlester, Okla. |
|
Shaylan Lewis |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
LB |
Jr. |
Riverside, Calif. |
|
Cameron Cornelius |
Southwestern College |
LB |
Jr. |
Cedar Hill, Texas |
|
Will Hilton |
Southwestern College |
LB |
Jr. |
Shawnee, Okla. |
|
Khyree Marshall |
Bethany College |
LB |
Sr. |
North Versailles, Pa. |
|
Sterling College |
LB |
Sr. |
Sherman, Texas |
|
|
Trevon MIiller |
Avila University |
DB |
Sr. |
Matthews, N.C. |
|
Zemonda Wilson |
Bethany College |
DB |
Fr. |
Brownburg, Ind. |
|
Grant Godsey |
Bethel College |
DB |
Sr. |
Centerton, Ark. |
|
Brody Patterson |
Evangel University |
DB |
So. |
Mountain Home, Ark. |
|
Jaren Foster |
Evangel University |
DB |
So. |
St. Charles, Mo. |
|
Julian Urioste |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
DB |
Jr. |
Portales, N.M. |
|
Jordan Dupre |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
DB |
Jr. |
Little Elm, Texas |
|
Kyle Reynolds |
Ottawa University |
DB |
Grad. |
Farmington, N.M. |
|
Sterling College |
DB |
Jr. |
Macon, Ga. |
|
|
Martavian Jackson |
Tabor College |
DB |
R-Jr. |
Galveston, Texas |
|
Jaxon Curtis |
University of Saint Mary |
DB |
Jr. |
Clarkson, Utah |
|
Jayton Alexander |
Tabor College |
DB |
Jr. |
McPherson, Kan. |
|
Terrell Valentine |
Avila University |
DB |
Sr. |
Goldsboro, N.C. |
|
Braden Gordon |
Friends University |
DB |
Sr. |
Bakersfield, Calif. |
HONORABLE MENTION SPECIAL TEAMS
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
POSITION |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
|
Koel Orchard |
Evangel University |
UTL |
R-Sr. |
Mountain View, Mo. |
|
Elias Pino |
Friends University |
UTL |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
|
Kalen Kemp |
Ottawa University |
UTL |
Jr. |
Oak Grove, Mo. |
|
Matthew Holthusen |
Southwestern College |
UTL |
So. |
Wichita, Kan. |
|
Jakob Feil |
Tabor College |
UTL |
Jr. |
McPherson, Kan. |
|
Cameron Barron |
Bethel College |
LS |
Fr. |
San Antonio, Texas |
|
Caleb Higginbottom |
Evangel University |
LS |
R-So. |
New Castle, Okla. |
|
Carson Sauseda |
Bethel College |
K |
So. |
Georgetown, Texas |
|
Cole Thompson |
Friends University |
K |
Fr. |
Round Rock, Texas |
|
Talon Cope |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
K |
Fr. |
Piedmont, Okla. |
|
Rhett Andersen |
Ottawa University |
K |
Sr. |
Colorado Springs, Colo. |
|
Zeke Mumford |
Bethany College |
P |
Jr. |
Gawler, Australia |
|
Jackson Walker |
Bethel College |
P |
So. |
West Jordan, Utah |
|
Ryan Conner |
Evangel University |
P |
Jr. |
Claremore, Okla. |
|
Trevor Bywater |
Ottawa University |
P |
So. |
Rockledge, Fla. |
|
Garrett Lynch |
Southwestern College |
P |
Fr. |
Broken Arrow, Okla. |
|
Lorenzo Baptiste |
Avila University |
KR |
Fr. |
North Miami, Fla. |
|
Jacob Backus |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
KR |
Jr. |
Marysville, Kan. |
|
De'Anthony Curtis |
Ottawa University |
KR |
Fr. |
South Gate, Calif. |
|
Malik Patterson |
Ottawa University |
KR |
So. |
Varnado, La. |
|
Robert Brooks III |
Avila University |
PR |
So. |
Opa-Locka, Fla. |
|
Luke Armstrong |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
PR |
So. |
Carlsbad, Calif. |
|
Dillon Hester |
Evangel University |
PR |
R-Jr. |
Strafford, Mo. |
—KCAC—
