— TABOR COLLEGE ATHLETICS RELEASE —
HILLSBORO, Kan. (TaborBluejays.com) – The 2024 Tabor College Bluejay Football schedule has been set. This season marks the second season of the new divisional format in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and the second season for the Bluejays as members of the KCAC’s Bissell Division. This will be the final year for the current divisional setup, as the divisions will realign based on competitive results from the last two seasons.
The Bluejays open the season at home on Sat., Aug. 31st at 6 PM, hosting fellow Highway 56 foe McPherson. A season ago, the Bulldogs rolled through the first part of their season, heading into Kessinger Division play with a 4-1 record, before dropping all but one contest in divisional play and ending the season with a 5-6 overall record. Last season, McPherson got the best of the Bluejays, but a pick-six early in the second quarter by McPherson native Jayton Alexander highlighted the game for Tabor.
The following week, Bluejay Football will head to Nixa, Mo. for a 6 PM bout with the defending KCAC Champions from last season in Evangel. Evangel finished the regular season 11-0 in their inaugural KCAC campaign and making a trip to the NAIA playoffs. The Bluejays gave the Valor all they wanted last season, holding them to just 14 points, Evangel’s lowest point total during the regular season and second lowest including the postseason. Brandon King’s pick-six in the second quarter highlighted last year’s defensive battle.
Tabor will return home to host Bethany on Sat., Sep. 14th for a 6 PM date with the Bethany Swedes. The Bluejays fell to the Swedes in Lindsborg a season ago. Bethany finished the season 1-10, losing all five games in divisional play. A touchdown run by Moises Haynes in the first quarter and a touchdown pass from Tyson Dozhier in the second quarter highlighted last year’s game for the Bluejays.
The Bluejays will head down to Winfield on Sat., Sep. 21st to take on Southwestern in a 7 PM kickoff. The Bluejays took the lead in the second quarter in last season’s matchup and carried that lead into the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell after a late offensive spurt from the Moundbuilders. Southwestern recorded an 8-3 campaign last year but went 2-3 in Kessinger Division play. A pick-six from Brandon Kingand a 20-yard field goal from Nathaniel Heilig highlighted last year’s contest.
Bluejay Football will play host to this season’s edition of the Battle of the Birds, with Friends making the 50-minute trek to Hillsboro on Sat., Sep. 28, with the contest kicking off at 6 PM. The Bluejays found their groove late in the game last year in Wichita, but the effort was too late, and the Falcons came away with the victory. Friends finished the season with a 9-2 overall record but missed the NAIA playoffs. Two field goals from Nathaniel Heilig and a touchdown pass from William Green to Devin Jones highlighted the game for the Bluejays.
This year’s edition of the Menno Bowl will move down the road to North Newton, where the Bluejays will look to get the best out of their biggest rivals for the second straight season. The game will kick off at 6 PM on Sat., Oct. 5th. Bethel finished the season with a 6-5 overall record, claiming third place in the Kessinger Division. Last season, the Bluejays trounced Bethel in a thrilling homecoming battle. Four touchdown passes from William Green and a 39-yard field goal from Nathaniel Heilig highlighted the Bluejays’ victory last season.
The Bluejays will return home on Sat., Oct. 19th to host rival Sterling for this season’s homecoming game, as well as to kick off Bissell Division play. Kickoff will take place at 2 PM. Sterling concluded last season with an overall record of 2-9 and a 1-4 record in divisional play. A season ago, the Bluejays marched into Sterling and spoiled the Warriors’ homecoming. A field goal from Nathaniel Heilig, touchdown runs from Jordan Bolden and Moises Haynes, and a touchdown pass from William Green to Devin Jones highlighted the game for the Bluejays.
Bluejay Football will head to Kansas City on Sat., Oct. 26th for a 1 PM date with Avila. The Eagles finished third in the Bissell Division with a 3-2 record, and a 4-7 record overall. A late scoring burst in last year’s contest gave Avila the win. Touchdown runs from William Greenand Jordan Bolden, along with a 33-yard field goal from Nathaniel Heilig highlighted the Bluejays’ scoring efforts.
The Bluejays will make the short trip north to Salina to take on Kansas Wesleyan on Sat., Nov. 2. The game will kick off at 1 PM. The Coyotes ended their season in disappointing fashion with an 8-3 record, missing the NAIA playoffs by way of losing the head-to-head battle with Ottawa, therefore giving Ottawa the division title. Kansas Wesleyan took the game from the Bluejays a season ago. Jordan Bolden’s 83 rushing yards highlighted the game for Tabor.
Saint Mary comes to Hillsboro on Sat., Nov. 9th for a 1 PM kickoff. The Spires finished the season last year with an overall record of 3-8 and a 1-4 record in the Bissell Division, earning them a tie for fifth place in the division. In last year’s contest, the Spires built themselves a significant lead, but saw the Bluejays mount a late scoring surge. Saint Mary skated by with a nine-point victory in the highly competitive shootout. Three touchdown passes from William Green, a touchdown run from Jordan Bolden, and a 35-yard field goal from Nathaniel Heilig highlighted the game for the Bluejays.
Ottawa will make their way to town for the season finale on Sat., Nov. 16th, with the contest kicking off at 1 PM. The Braves ended their season with a 6-6 overall record, representing the KCAC’s Bissell Division in the 2023 NAIA Playoffs. The Bluejays led the way for the majority of last season’s contest, shocking the postseason-bound Braves and coming home with a 31-28 victory. Last season’s contest was highlighted by two touchdown passes from William Green to Deonte Hill, touchdown runs from Jordan Bolden and Jakob Feil, and a huge 47-yard field goal from Nathaniel Heilig.
The online schedule is available here and will be updated with links to game notes, broadcasts, live stats, and other gameday information.
A full season preview will be released after the 2024 KCAC Virtual Media Day on Aug. 2nd.
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).
