August 22nd, 2023 6:00am
Thursday, Aug. 31 marks the beginning of another football season in the Great American Conference. As the league begins its 13th year of athletic competition, it finds itself continuing to grow in respectability among the ranks of Division II.
The 2023 season promises to be a wild one in the GAC. The usual stalwart trio of Ouachita Baptist, Harding and Henderson State—which have combined to win every one of the league’s 12 championships thus far—will all be excellent again, but not without questions of their own. The middle of the league is as up for grabs as it’s ever been and the bottom of league has hope that new coaches and better injury luck will spell success.
Here’s a breakdown of each team in the league this year, followed by our predicted order of finish. The team breakdowns are listed in the order of the preseason GAC coaches poll.
Ouachita Baptist
Last year- 11-0, GAC champions, 11-1 overall- lost to NW Missouri State in first round of playoffs
Head coach- Todd Knight
Offensive outlook
The top scoring offense in the conference last year should be back to putting up big numbers again in 2023. Gone is running back TJ Cole, but Tigers shouldn’t miss much of a beat by inserting Kendel Givens (953 yards, 13 touchdowns) into the starting role. Quarterback Riley Harms returns along with top target Conner Flannigan (56 receptions, 839 yards, 10 touchdowns). The key to the Tigers’ success this year will be how the offensive line comes together. Ouachita needs to replace multiple starters along the line, and coach Todd Knight mentioned at GAC Media Day it was on them to step up and grow into their new role. There’s plenty of experience amongst those being asked to make the next step, but it’s still a big step to take.
Defensive outlook
Defensively, the Tigers should be really good. Nine starters return, including linebacker Jax Miller (94 tackles, 5.5 TFL) and lineman Mikey Gonzalez (8.5 TFL, four sacks). The secondary is deep, with Josiah Johnson and Dhante Gibson leading the unit. Replacing Anthony Freeman along the defensive line won’t be easy, but the Tigers were fairly young up front a year ago, so the line will be stout, even without one particular star leader. Having the defense be so experienced will provide the offensive line plenty of time to get the kinks worked out for the stretch run of the season.
Overall thoughts
To put it simply, the Tigers will be really good this year. Given the talent on both sides of the ball, the floor is not particularly low, even if the worst case scenario happens where the offensive line isn’t very good. It’s playoffs or bust in Arkadelphia, and Ouachita is ready to make another run in 2023.
Harding
Last year- 9-2 overall
Head coach- Paul Simmons
Offensive outlook
The 2022 Bisons were extremely young in the backfield, led by redshirt freshman quarterback Cole Keylon (679 rushing yards, six touchdowns). Fast forward a year, and most everyone is back with a year of seasoning under their belts. The Bisons top five rushers return in 2023 and are a group that, according to coach Paul Simmons, has as many home run hitters as they’ve ever had. Slot back Jhalen Spicer led the group of backs with 621 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Despite rule changes that limited the Bisons’ blocking scheme (read: less cutting), the Bisons still topped the nation in rushing yards per game. Several starters along the offensive line return, along with several experienced backups, ready to fill the void left by the departed seniors. The Bisons rarely throw, but they will need to find a few replacements at the receiver position.
Defensive outlook
Harding wins because of their defense and this year’s edition should be formidable once again. The Bisons are deep across the board and return a bevy of starters at all three levels. Clark Griffin (72 tackles, seven TFL) is back to lead the linebacker group along with Cayden Pierce (48 tackles). The defensive line will be anchored by Nathaniel Wallace (seven TFL, 5.5 sacks) and Dre Hall (5.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks). The secondary lost two big leaders in Cade Pugh and Grant Fitzhugh, but Cooper Carroll (42 tackles) returns, along with several others. Don’t expect much of a drop off, if any, with this group in 2023.
Overall thoughts
The Harding machine should continue to roll on. The development of Keylon will be a storyline to follow, as there were plenty of times a year ago where it was clear he was a redshirt freshman. The defense will be good once again, so expect the Bisons to be challenging for another conference championship in 2023.
Henderson State
Last year- 8-3 overall
Head coach- Scott Maxfield
Offensive outlook
The Reddies are poised to be a high-flying bunch in 2023. One question remains: who will be catching the passes from returning quarterback Andrew Edwards (2,137 yards, 21 touchdowns)? Gone is Xavier Malone, along with 81 percent of the receptions from last year. Chris Hatzis (13 receptions, 207 yards, one touchdown) is the leading receiver who returns. However, the Reddies brought in several transfer wideouts who will be under the tutelage of former All-American L’Liott Curry, who returns to Arkadelphia as receivers coach. The ground game will be the primary source of offense, at least initially. The offensive line will be deep and experienced and Korien Burrell (1,064 yards, 14 touchdowns) and Jeremiah Davis (418 yards, two touchdowns) are both back to carry the rock.
Defensive outlook
The Reddies were simply not good in pass coverage last year, with youth and inexperience being the main factors. HSU is counting on more experience and a high number of transfers into the secondary to be the catalysts for major improvement in that area this season. The front seven should be really good, led by Jakob Neel (63 tackles, 4.5 TFL) and Gary Lewis (10 TFL, five sacks). The Reddies are deep up front, with Lewis, Shaq’ke Robinson and Catrell Wallace leading the way, so one of the best run defenses in the GAC in 2022 should remain a tough nut to crack.
Overall thoughts
On paper, Henderson State looks as good as anyone in the conference. The questions at receiver and in the secondary are big, but the talent is there with the transfers at both positions. The Reddies will challenge for a conference crown in 2023 and can take it if those questions are answered positively.
Southern Arkansas
Last year- 5-6 overall
Head coach- Brad Smiley
Offensive outlook
The Muleriders might be the best offense in the conference. A year ago, SAU finished the year No. 1 in the league with 485 yards per game. This year, there are a lot of pieces back, led by quarterback OB Jones (2,044 passing yards, 735 rushing yards) and running back Jariq Scales (1,043 yards, 12 touchdowns). The Muleriders also return several receivers, led by Cole Williams (35 receptions, 419 yards, three touchdowns). There are a few starters to replace along the offensive line, but overall, Southern Arkansas is loaded with talent and has very little in terms of shortcomings. One thing to watch: it took about half the season for the offense to really click into sync. If SAU can start this year where they ended last year, watch out.
Defensive outlook
Injuries at linebacker hampered the Mulerider defense in 2022, but with a ton of starters returning, this unit should be improved this year. Jacob Berry (100 tackles) is back along with Gavin Roe (54 tackles). Damon Legrande will be counted on as a leader along the defensive line which needs to plug a hole or two at defensive end. Dawson Scott (25 tackles, 3.5 TFL) will be a candidate to take on a bigger role this year. The secondary is deep and will be even deeper with the addition of several transfers. At the end of the day, the defense has to be better if SAU wants to challenge for a conference title. The Muleriders lost three games last year by one score or less, where one stop could have swayed the outcome.
Overall thoughts
Optimism is high in Magnolia, and it should be. The Muleriders will score a lot of points this year. The biggest question is if they can prevent points. If the defense improves and the offense lives up to its potential, you can put SAU squarely in the race for the GAC title.
Southeastern Oklahoma State
Last year- 6-5 GAC, 6-6 overall
Head coach- Bo Atterberry
Offensive outlook
The Savage Storm welcome back a familiar face to Durant as Bo Atterberry takes over the program once again. Atterberry was coach from 2014-2018. The first task for Atterberry is finding a quarterback to lead the offense. Daulton Hatley is gone, and there are no experienced options waiting in the wings. The quarterback battle will be the focal point, with the winner getting the privilege of throwing to returning All-American wide receiver Marquis Gray. Gray (79 receptions, 1,463 yards, 17 touchdowns) leads a veteran receiving corps, while Jason Ngwu (458 yards, two touchdowns), the team’s second-leading rusher in 2022, will lead the running attack. The offensive line will need some retooling, but right tackle Stephane Zabini returns to anchor the group. Southeastern found some success in the middle of the season last year by committing to the ground game. That should be the point of emphasis early in the season until the quarterback gets comfortable in his new role.
Defensive outlook
The defense for Southeastern loses quite a bit, most notably linebacker Maalik Hall. But Hall is far from the only key contributor the Savage Storm will have to replace. There are still come good pieces at each level of the defense, including linebacker Cameron Tate. During GAC Media Day, Tate (76 tackles, 10.5 TFL) acknowledged the lack of experience on the defense, but also noted a high level of eagerness amongst the younger players to prove themselves. Those younger players will be learning from Tate in the middle of the defense, Tyveon Williams (22 tackles) in the secondary and Kevin Simes (seven TFL, 3.5 sacks) along the defensive line. The success of the Southeastern defense will ride on eagerness turning into positive production.
Overall thoughts
Things are different in Durant than in Atterberry’s first go-round. Obviously, the quarterback question is a big one, as is how a young defense progresses. To be frank, the floor of this team is a lot lower than the coaches poll would indicate. If the quarterback play doesn’t go well and the defense looks as young as it is on paper, it could be a long fall in Durant.
East Central
Last year- 8-3 GAC, 9-3 overall
Head coach (interim)- John Litrenta
Offensive outlook
College coaches are notoriously paranoid, even at the Division 2 level. At GAC Media Day, new ECU coach John Litrenta wouldn’t even mention who is competing for the open starting quarterback job. All we know is there are three possibilities. So we’ll see how that shakes out before Aug. 31. The cupboard is a bit bare in Ada as a whole. Running back Miles Davis is the team’s leading returning rusher (444 yards) and receiver (320 yards), splitting his time on the field between the backfield and the slot. The Tigers lost several starters to Texas-Permian Basin, as they followed last year’s head coach Kris McCullough out to the desert. The Tigers have to find replacements at receiver and along the offensive line if they hope to continue the success they found in 2022.
Defensive outlook
The Tigers were one of the best defenses in the league a season ago, the primary reason for their 9-3 season. While they do lose several pieces from last year, they also return some big time players, led by Defensive Player of the Year Devon Roush (110 tackles, 10 TFL). Roush and Ke’von Curry (six TFL, 5.5 sacks) anchor the middle of the defense at the linebacker position while Yemi Oyesanya (42 tackles, 5.5 TFL) will be counted on as a leader along a rebuilding defensive line. The secondary was hit particularly hard by graduation, but Jimmy Pitts and Martinez Hill will be counted on as experienced veterans.
Overall thoughts
East Central was outstanding a year ago, capitalizing on a very experienced roster to put up the program’s best season since the 1993 NAIA national championship squad. Now, the Tigers have a new head coach and a roster with a lot of holes to fill. If things don’t break right in Ada, the Tigers could slip quickly down the GAC totem pole.
Arkansas Tech
Last year- 5-6 overall
Head coach- Kyle Shipp
Offensive outlook
The Wonder Boys also have a quarterback battle on their hands, as they try to improve on last season’s up and down production. Coach Kyle Shipp has several options at his disposal, so it’s anyone’s guess who will be the starter on Aug. 31. Four different quarterbacks threw a pass in 2022, and there’s no doubt the revolving door did nothing to stabilize the offense last year. Deon Simmons (511 yards, five touchdowns) returns as the primary back for the Wonder Boys, who had seven players with at least 20 carries a season ago. The top four receivers from 2022 return, led by Joyrion Chase (38 receptions, 508 yards, three touchdowns). An offensive line that gave up just 11 sacks a year ago will need to be rebuilt, but Shipp pointed to several transfers as a source of optimism for that group.
Defensive outlook
Defensively, the Wonder Boys weren’t particularly good last year, and lose four of their top five tacklers from the 2022 squad. Linebacker Mason Minnix is the leading returner after racking up 68 stops a year ago. Matt Arnold is back as well to help lead the secondary. As part of a whole staff shakeup, Shipp brought in Kendrick Van Ackeren from Colorado State-Pueblo to run the defense. The Wonder Boys have nine transfers on the defensive side of the ball, so there’s hope for a quick turnaround in Russellville.
Overall thoughts
You don’t voluntarily shake up an entire coaching staff if things are going well. This is Kyle Shipp’s fourth season in charge of the Wonder Boys and things haven’t taken off just yet. 2023 is a big year for Arkansas Tech and a lot needs to go well to show an upward trajectory. There are pieces there, so it will be on the new voices in the room to harness the potential and lift the Wonder Boys out of mediocrity.
Arkansas-Monticello
Last year- 3-8 overall
Head coach- Hud Jackson
Offensive outlook
The Weevils welcome back quarterback Demilon Brown, who is coming off an injury that sidelined him for the second half of the 2022 season. Brown, one of the more dynamic quarterbacks in the league will be fortunate to have his top four receivers back from last year’s squad, including LaCedric Smith (36 receptions, 673 yards, five touchdowns). Establishing complementary football will be important for UAM, as Hayden Thomas (241 yards, three touchdowns) is the leading returning rusher and the offensive line will be replacing several starters. Brown is a big threat with his legs (758 yards, ten touchdowns in 2022), but improving the offensive line play will be key to the offense’s success this year.
Defensive outlook
On defense, the Weevils definitely took some hits with graduations, losing a key leader at every level of the defense from a year ago. Linebacker Damarous White (48 tackles, 3.5 TFL) is back to lead the group along with defensive back Demauryon Holmes (37 tackles). Finding difference makers along the line of scrimmage will be key in the run-heavy GAC. Look for younger players Anfernee Hankins and Rhema Getter to step up into bigger roles this season for the Weevils.
Overall thoughts
Monticello hasn’t been able to rise above the middle of the pack in the GAC in any of Hud Jackson’s previous 11 seasons. The Weevils went 6-5 in the GAC in 2018, the only season Jackson has led the squad to a record over .500. At this point, the Weevils are what they are: a team you can’t sleep on because of ever-present athletes, but one you can take care of with sound play.
Southern Nazarene
Last year- 5-6 overall
Head coach- Dustin Hada
Offensive outlook
The discussion of the Crimson Storm offense has to begin with All-American quarterback Gage Porter. The seventh-year senior is back for one final ride in Bethany after leading all of college football—regardless of division—with 27 rushing touchdowns. But while Porter is the engine that makes the train go, he’s far from alone. Four offensive line starters return, along with the top two runnings backs and every wide receiver from the 2022 squad. This offense, which ranked third in the nation in rushing yards per game and first in yards per carry, is loaded and looking to do even more in 2023.
Defensive outlook
Statistically, the SNU defense was a far cry from its offensive counterpart in 2022, but the numbers don’t tell the entire story. In multiple games, it was the defense making a key stop or forcing a turnover that led to an SNU victory. While there are plenty of good things to look back on, there is also a lot of room for improvement. The defensive line is a question mark after losing a couple of key rotational pieces from last year. The linebacker group is big and fast and will undoubtedly be the strength of the unit, led by the tandem of Cole McMahan (52 tackles) and Carter Brock (19 tackles). In the secondary, the Crimson Storm have to replace three starters, but all players slated to start have significant experience and also boast a bit more size than their predecessors. Count on Josh Johnson (44 tackles, six INT) to be the experienced voice in the defensive back room.
Overall thoughts
Southern Nazarene’s breakout a season ago was a long time coming. Now the question is can the Crimson Storm sustain the momentum and be even better in 2023? The offense should be really good once again, but it will be interesting to see how the GAC adjusts after SNU rolled over most of the league a year ago. How much the defense improves is probably going to be the difference between a potential bowl trip and a middle-to-lower third finish in the league.
Southwestern Oklahoma State
Last year- 4-7 overall
Head coach (interim)- Ruzell McCoy
Offensive outlook
The cupboard is pretty devoid of returning talent in Weatherford. The Bulldogs need a quarterback, as well as some new faces at the skill positions. Several transfers will be competing for the open quarterback job, but don’t discount the possibility a true freshman steps in to seize the job. It’s anyone’s guess. Troy Henderson (330 yards, three touchdowns), is the team’s leading returning rusher and will shoulder a bigger load this year. The receiving corps is basically entirely new, with tight end Jacob Karsak (18 receptions, 145 yards, four touchdowns) the leading returning receiver. Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer RaeQuan Prince will be counted on in a big way after a strong season for the Lions. Isaac Foster is back to anchor an offensive line needing to replace three starters from 2022.
Defensive outlook
Defensively, the Bulldogs could be alright. They have some veteran leaders at every level of the defense, led by defensive lineman RJ Powell (29 tackles, four TFL) and Cameron Guyton (20 tackles) up front. Richard Silva (37 tackles, seven TFL, three sacks) will lead the linebacker group, while Diondre Scott (19 tackles) will play a big role in the secondary. Interim coach Ruzell McCoy was the defensive coordinator last season, but has turned the duties over to Austin Jackson this year to concentrate on the big picture items as interim head coach.
Overall thoughts
Southwestern has gone through some incredible roster churn the past few years. That churn has led to a relatively young 2023 roster, with just nine seniors and 33 upperclassmen listed on the roster at this point. Questions litter this team and there’s just so much unknown about the talent on the roster that it’s impossible to be optimistic about SWOSU’s outlook this season.
Oklahoma Baptist
Last year- 1-10 overall
Head coach- Chris Jensen
Offense outlook
The struggle was real for the OBU offense last year, but when you lose an all-time receiver, quarterback and running back, it’s going to be a big step back. Four quarterbacks saw the field for the Bison in 2022 and based on his appearance at GAC Media Day, it would appear Aidan Thompson will be the starter in 2023. He’ll have a pair of solid pair of running backs to give the ball to in Buddy Bizzell (470 yards, seven touchdowns) and EJ Moore (309 yards, three touchdowns). Keilahn Harris is off trying to make an NFL roster, but Michael Marshall is back along with most of the receiving corps from last year. The big question will be the offensive line. Coach Chris Jensen said they brought in 12 new offensive linemen in the 2023 recruiting class to bolster depth and talent. It’s a unit that must improve this year.
Defensive outlook
The defense has a great chance to improve thanks to a lot of key returners from a season ago. Chase Whitebear (63 tackles, 4.5 TFL, three interceptions) is a fantastic young player in the secondary, and will be counted on to lead. Linebacker Jake Landers (57 tackles) is back as well, along with defensive linemen KJ Price, Nick Carpin and Xavier Lott. Last year’s unit was one of the worst in the league, so the only direction is up. But it’s also a tough climb for a group that was consistently outmatched last year and struggled with even the basics.
Overall thoughts
Chris Jensen said he totally revamped his approach to leadership in the offseason, both from himself and from his players. The loss of so many leaders from the 2021 squad had a bigger impact on the Bison than anyone could have foreseen. Now, OBU is trying to put things back together and lift the program back up. Was 2022 an anomaly? The folks in Shawnee certainly hope so.
Northwestern Oklahoma State
Last year- 1-10 overall
Head coach- Ronnie Jones
Offensive outlook
Yet another quarterback battle is taking place in Alva as new coach Ronnie Jones tries to start his tenure at NWOSU on the right foot. Whoever wins the job will be working behind an experienced offensive line with Josh Baker helping to lead the group. Running back Darian Gill (509 yards, four touchdowns) is back to lead the rushing attack, while the Rangers also return two of their top three receivers from 2022 in Torrance Stevens (62 receptions, 699 yards, five touchdowns) and Travis Romar (21 receptions, 277 yards, four touchdowns). The offense has shown the potential to be explosive at times in the past few seasons, so that’s something for the glass half-full crowd to hold on to in the new regime.
Defensive outlook
Defensively, the Rangers have a lot of questions, particularly up front. This side of the ball was the big focus in recruiting for Jones and the new coaching staff, but they’ll have a few veteran leaders to lean on as the season gets rolling. The secondary welcomes back Beau Foster (17 tackles) and Braden Waters (48 tackles). This was a group that is solid, but desperately needs to build depth. Linebacker Wacey Williams (40 tackles) will be a stalwart in the middle of the defense this year. Up front, the Rangers had some solid pieces a year ago, but all are gone now. Jones mentioned at GAC Media Day he liked the defensive ends on the team, but there’s still a long way to go to make this a respectable unit.
Overall thoughts
New coach, lots of turnover, lots of questions. Ronnie Jones seems like a good hire, but he’s got a lot of work ahead of him to lift Northwestern out of the malaise in which the program has been mired the last few seasons. The rebuilding process will be slow and painful.
Our preseason poll:
Ouachita Baptist
Henderson State
Harding
Southern Arkansas
Southern Nazarene
East Central
Arkansas Tech
Southeastern Oklahoma State
Arkansas-Monticello
Oklahoma Baptist
Southwestern Oklahoma State
Northwestern Oklahoma State
I could see the top three in any order, but I do think Harding is slightly behind the other two. The two Southerns have a lot of potential and most of it hangs on the defensive performances. 6-8 just have a bunch of questions, but also some good talent, so no order of those three would surprise me. 9-12 are clearly separate from the rest. Be sure to bookmark this poll to see how poorly I did later in the year!