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Dixon Headlines Sterling All-Conference Selections as Special Teams Player of the Year

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WICHITA, Kan. (SCWarriors.com) – 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

NAMEINSTITUTIONPOSITIONCLASSHOMETOWN
K’Vonte BakerFriends UniversityQBSo.Wichita, Kan.
RJ WakleyEvangel UniversityQBR-Sr.Tulsa, Okla.
Wynton RuthOttawa UniversityRBSr.Little Rock, Ark.
Elias PinoFriends UniversityRBSr.Houston, Texas
Jartavious MartinUniversity of Saint MaryRBJr.Foxworth, Miss.
Laken ClowdusFriends UniversityFBSr.Bartlesville, Okla.
Dillon Hester (U)Evangel UniversityWRR-Jr.Strafford, Mo.
Andre JonesSouthwestern CollegeWRSr.Austin, Texas
Michael GazzanaUniversity of Saint MaryWRR-Fr.Las Vegas, Nev.
Andrew HoldenEvangel UniversityTER-Jr.Mountain View, Mo.
Keegan Martin (U)Friends UniversityOLSr.Yale, Okla.
CJ Anoa’iEvangel UniversityOLJr.Springfield, Mo.
Earon GarciaSouthwestern CollegeOLSr.Wichita, Kan.
Ryan JunkermeierBethel CollegeOLSr.Plainville, Kan.
Kel StroudFriends UniversityOLJr.Chapman, Kan.

(U) designates a Unanimous First Team honoree.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

NAMEINSTITUTIONPOSITIONCLASSHOMETOWN
Zach Myers (U)Evangel UniversityDLJr.Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Ricardo GarciaKansas Wesleyan UniversityDLJr.Reno, Nev.
Shane RodriguezSouthwestern CollegeDLSr.McLoud, Okla.
Josh King-BradleyKansas Wesleyan UniversityDLSo.Mont Belvieu, Texas
Bradley MyersEvangel UniversityLBR-Jr.Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Kade MillerBethel CollegeLBSr.Osborne, Kan.
AJ HemphillOttawa UniversityLBJr.Strasburg, Colo
Josh CarterSouthwestern CollegeLBSr.Wichita, Kan.
Trey Palmer (U)Friends UniversityDBSr.Houston, Texas
Nehemiah FigueroaMcPherson CollegeDBR-Jr.Boyertown, Pa.
Nate SwoffordEvangel UniversityDBJr.Ava, Mo.
Brenden SandersBethel CollegeDBSr.Round Rock, Texas

(U) designates a Unanimous First Team honoree.

FIRST TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS

NAMEINSTITUTIONPOSITIONCLASSHOMETOWN
Trevon MadisonBethel CollegeUTLJr.Detroit, Mich.
Brooks GardnerTabor CollegeLSSr.Hillsboro, Kan.
Vincent McTigueUniversity of Saint MaryPJr.Sparks, Nev.
Jonah EdwardsEvangel UniversityKJr.Tulsa, Okla.
Trey DixonSterling CollegeKRSo.Killeen, Texas
Trey PalmerFriends UniversityPRSr.Houston, Texas

 

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

NAMEINSTITUTIONPOSITIONCLASSHOMETOWN
DJ CiersBethel CollegeQBJr.Houston, Texas
Sammy RobinsonEvangel UniversityRBSr.Mt. Vernon, Mo.
Jett CheathamFriends UniversityRBJr.Enid, Okla.
Nick AllsmanKansas Wesleyan UniversityRBJr.Belleville, Kan.
Eric WilliamsEvangel UniversityFBSo.Irving, Texas
Trevon MadisonBethel CollegeWRJr.Detroit, Mich.
Jayden JohnsonOttawa UniversityWRFr.Jenks, Okla.
Broc LyleEvangel UniversityWRFr.Rolla, Mo.
Harley BlaskeMcPherson CollegeTER-Jr.Sylvia, Kan.
Daniel SanchezOttawa UniversityOLJr.Dallas, Texas
Kyree WatkinsFriends UniversityOLJr.Atlanta, Ga.
Chris ShawMcPherson CollegeOLR-Jr.Scotts Valley, Calif.
Ruben AlmendarezBethany CollegeOLSo.Harlingen, Texas
Cor’Darius WrightAvila UniversityOLJr.Jackson, La.

 

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

NAMEINSTITUTIONPOSITIONCLASSHOMETOWN
Doug GriderBethel CollegeDLJr.Halstead, Kan.
Alan GarciaSterling CollegeDLJr.Ferris, Texas
James GladdenOttawa UniversityDLJr.Chattanooga, Tenn.
Jario Castillo Jr.Bethel CollegeDLJr.Houston, Texas
Charles “Ricco” MooreKansas Wesleyan UniversityLBSr.Ocean Springs, Miss.
Marquis WilloughbyMcPherson CollegeLBSr.Brooklyn, N.Y.
Brooks GardnerTabor CollegeLBSr.Hillsboro, Kan.
Hunter PullenSterling CollegeLBJr.Henrietta, Texas
Kevin WadeOttawa UniversityDBSr.Fontana, Calif.
Nolan EwingFriends UniversityDBSr.Spring Hill, Kan.
Deago StubbsSouthwestern CollegeDBSo.Las Vegas, Nev.
Brandon KingTabor CollegeDBR-Fr.Carthage, Texas

 

SECOND TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS

NAMEINSTITUTIONPOSITIONCLASSHOMETOWN
Brysen KerbyMcPherson CollegeUTLSo.Big Spring, Texas
Killian GrimmFriends UniversityLSSr.Salinas, Calif.
Kevin DoddMcPherson CollegePR-So.Tecumseh, Okla.
Brodrick SmithTabor CollegePR-Fr.Purcell, Okla.
Nathaniel HeiligTabor CollegeKJr.Bastrop, Texas
Trevon MadisonBethel CollegeKRJr.Detroit, Mich.
Trey PalmerFriends UniversityKRSr.Houston, Texas
Trevon MadisonBethel CollegePRJr.Detroit, Mich.

 

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE

NAMEINSTITUTIONPOSITIONCLASSHOMETOWN
Eli WilliamsAvila UniversityQBSo.Sapulpa, Okla.
Braden HowellSouthwestern CollegeQBSr.Wichita, Kan.
Erick CovingtonUniversity of Saint MaryQBSo.Aurora, Colo.
Tristan SzaboMcPherson CollegeQBJr.Sparks, Nev.
Jahkese WatkinsAvila UniversityRBSr.Hillsboro, Ala.
Zamarion SpencerBethany CollegeRBFr.West Helena, Ark.
Kayden ChristiansenBethel CollegeRBSr.Lakin, Kan.
Malaki PekoOttawa UniversityRBSr.Faga’itua, Tutuila Island (AS)
Jordan BoldenTabor CollegeRBJr.Tallahassee, Fla.
Scott GriderBethel CollegeRBJr.Halstead, Kan.
Cody BaxterBethel CollegeFBSr.Saint Francis, Kan.
Zach DresslerFriends UniversityFBSr.Douglass, Kan.
Luke ArmstrongKansas Wesleyan UniversityFBSo.Carlsbad, Calif.
Kareem ChambersAvila UniversityTEJr.Tampa, Fla.
AJ CarreonAvila UniversityTEJr.El Monte, Calif.
Jaquante PittsKansas Wesleyan UniversityTESr.Miami, Fla.
Josh BoyantonSouthwestern CollegeTEJr.Mustang, Okla.
Alejandro Martinez-LoeraUniversity of Saint MaryTESr.San Jose, Calif.
Jalen ThachAvila UniversityWRJr.Dededo, Guam
Michael YoungBethany CollegeWRFr.Mansfield, Texas
Kevin GreenFriends UniversityWRSr.Waxahachie, Texas
Rhadarious Lomax-SpiveyKansas Wesleyan UniversityWRJr.Aurora, Ill.
Traven Lewis-JohnsonMcPherson CollegeWRSo.Montgomery, Texas
De’Anthony CurtisOttawa UniversityWRFr.South Gate, Calif.
Matthew HolthusenSouthwestern CollegeWRSo.Wichita, Kan.
Josh EdsonSouthwestern CollegeWRJr.Newton, Kan.
Ziyon KennerSouthwestern CollegeWRSr.Bowling Green, Ky.
Deonte HillTabor CollegeWRJr.Temple Hills, Md.
Myreik Goodwin-LagreeSterling CollegeWRSr.Colorado Springs, Colo.
Tucker SmithBethel CollegeWRSr.Muscotah, Kan.
Christopher WillisAvila UniversityOLJr.Inglewood, Calif.
Loggan BirchBethel CollegeOLJr.Burleson, Texas
Cole HermanBethel CollegeOLJr.Halstead, Kan.
Gerry HarrisEvangel UniversityOLSo.Star City, Ark.
Dominic DawsonEvangel UniversityOLSo.Mt. Vernon, Mo.
Colin CookEvangel UniversityOLJr.Baton Rogue, La.
Stephen AcostaFriends UniversityOLSr.Clovis, N.M.
Dawson AdamsKansas Wesleyan UniversityOLSo.Hooks, Texas
Alvin PooleMcPherson CollegeOLSr.Houston, Texas
Donovan HenryOttawa UniversityOLJr.Jacksonville, Fla.
Trevar KoncherOttawa UniversityOLJr.South Ogden, Utah
Madrid SteeleOttawa UniversityOLJr.Madisonville, La.
Penilotu AsaeliSouthwestern CollegeOLJr.Euless, Texas
RJ SmithUniversity of Saint MaryOLR-Jr.Northport, Ala.
TJ OsaOttawa UniversityOLSo.Junction City, Kan.
Jontrell CasimereKansas Wesleyan UniversityOLJr.Houston, Texas
Christopher HusligUniversity of Saint MaryOLR-Jr.Eudora, Kan.
Lennie BoykinBethany CollegeOLSo.Newberry, Fla.
Jayden RamosAvila UniversityOLJr.Kihei, Hawaii
Kenyon VigilFriends UniversityOLSo.Amarillo, Texas

 

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE

NAMEINSTITUTIONPOSITIONCLASSHOMETOWN
Ishe Smith Jr.Avila UniversityDLJr.Las Vegas, Nev.
David SweetmanBethany CollegeDLFr.San Tan Valley, Ariz.
Ernest Ferrier IIIBethel CollegeDLSr.Humble, Texas
Dominique PuentesEvangel UniversityDLJr.The Colony, Texas
Demarieo SimsFriends UniversityDLSo.Cedartown, Ga.
Marco TorresFriends UniversityDLJr.Laredo, Texas
Taeylon GarlandMcPherson CollegeDLR-Sr.Fort Hood, Texas
Jensen RiffelOttawa UniversityDLJr.Lincolnville, Kan.
Darren HicksSouthwestern CollegeDLSr.Haughton, La.
Jacardon HardemonSouthwestern CollegeDLJr.Bentonville, Ark.
Flin CameronSterling CollegeDLJr.Canberra, Australia
Tyree JenkinsUniversity of Saint MaryDLSr.Roseville, Calif.
Christian CoggsOttawa UniversityDLJr.Lenexa, Kan.
Kyair WarnerEvangel UniversityDLJr.The Colony, Texas
Jacob GoadMcPherson CollegeDLR-Jr.Sapulpa, Okla.
Dennis JohnsonAvila UniversityLBSr.Fort Wayne, Ind.
Terry McCutcheonBethany CollegeLBFr.West, Texas
Tate SeaboltBethel CollegeLBJr.Cimarron, Kan.
Ian AryEvangel UniversityLBR-Sr.West Plains, Mo.
Shamarius DavisFriends UniversityLBJr.Birmingham, Ala.
Andrew ArnoldFriends UniversityLBSo.Antlers, Okla.
Quatama MassaquoiKansas Wesleyan UniversityLBJr.Pittsburg, Calif.
Dreshawn FlowersSouthwestern CollegeLBSo.McAlester, Okla.
Shaylan LewisKansas Wesleyan UniversityLBJr.Riverside, Calif.
Cameron CorneliusSouthwestern CollegeLBJr.Cedar Hill, Texas
Will HiltonSouthwestern CollegeLBJr.Shawnee, Okla.
Khyree MarshallBethany CollegeLBSr.North Versailles, Pa.
Diego MoranSterling CollegeLBSr.Sherman, Texas
Trevon MIillerAvila UniversityDBSr.Matthews, N.C.
Zemonda WilsonBethany CollegeDBFr.Brownburg, Ind.
Grant GodseyBethel CollegeDBSr.Centerton, Ark.
Brody PattersonEvangel UniversityDBSo.Mountain Home, Ark.
Jaren FosterEvangel UniversityDBSo.St. Charles, Mo.
Julian UriosteKansas Wesleyan UniversityDBJr.Portales, N.M.
Jordan DupreKansas Wesleyan UniversityDBJr.Little Elm, Texas
Kyle ReynoldsOttawa UniversityDBGrad.Farmington, N.M.
Dexter Walker Jr.Sterling CollegeDBJr.Macon, Ga.
Martavian JacksonTabor CollegeDBR-Jr.Galveston, Texas
Jaxon CurtisUniversity of Saint MaryDBJr.Clarkson, Utah
Jayton AlexanderTabor CollegeDBJr.McPherson, Kan.
Terrell ValentineAvila UniversityDBSr.Goldsboro, N.C.
Braden GordonFriends UniversityDBSr.Bakersfield, Calif.

 

HONORABLE MENTION SPECIAL TEAMS

NAMEINSTITUTIONPOSITIONCLASSHOMETOWN
Koel OrchardEvangel UniversityUTLR-Sr.Mountain View, Mo.
Elias PinoFriends UniversityUTLSr.Houston, Texas
Kalen KempOttawa UniversityUTLJr.Oak Grove, Mo.
Matthew HolthusenSouthwestern CollegeUTLSo.Wichita, Kan.
Jakob FeilTabor CollegeUTLJr.McPherson, Kan.
Cameron BarronBethel CollegeLSFr.San Antonio, Texas
Caleb HigginbottomEvangel UniversityLSR-So.New Castle, Okla.
Carson SausedaBethel CollegeKSo.Georgetown, Texas
Cole ThompsonFriends UniversityKFr.Round Rock, Texas
Talon CopeKansas Wesleyan UniversityKFr.Piedmont, Okla.
Rhett AndersenOttawa UniversityKSr.Colorado Springs, Colo.
Zeke MumfordBethany CollegePJr.Gawler, Australia
Jackson WalkerBethel CollegePSo.West Jordan, Utah
Ryan ConnerEvangel UniversityPJr.Claremore, Okla.
Trevor BywaterOttawa UniversityPSo.Rockledge, Fla.
Garrett LynchSouthwestern CollegePFr.Broken Arrow, Okla.
Lorenzo BaptisteAvila UniversityKRFr.North Miami, Fla.
Jacob BackusKansas Wesleyan UniversityKRJr.Marysville, Kan.
De’Anthony CurtisOttawa UniversityKRFr.South Gate, Calif.
Malik PattersonOttawa UniversityKRSo.Varnado, La.
Robert Brooks IIIAvila UniversityPRSo.Opa-Locka, Fla.
Luke ArmstrongKansas Wesleyan UniversityPRSo.Carlsbad, Calif.
Dillon HesterEvangel UniversityPRR-Jr.Strafford, Mo.
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