Like conference counterpart Alderson Broaddus, Kentucky Wesleyan football has definitively raised the bar with a difficult independent schedule as the Panthers also set their sights on the expanded G-MAC in 2017.
The season opener at Delta State on Sept. 1 is looming ahead followed by the home opener vs. Davidson and a test on the road against provisional NCAA Division II member Davenport in week three.
Nationally ranked programs Indianapolis (No. 25 – D2Football.com; No. 16 – AFCA Coaches) and Ashland (No. 4 – D2Football.com; No. 6 – AFCA Coaches) are also on the fall slate on Sept. 24 and Oct. 22.
Kentucky Wesleyan will also get a chance to earn the mining cart and the program’s first G-MAC Founders Cup Game bragging rights to close the regular season on Nov. 12 at Philippi.
The Panthers are looking forward to being a part of the new-look G-MAC next fall with the league including AB, KWC and Malone, with incoming member institutions Findlay, Hillsdale, Lake Erie, Ohio Dominican and Walsh.
KWC was just one game away from .500 at 5-6 overall last year. The Panthers were an impressive 4-1 in front of the home fans in Owensboro.
For now, there are multiple questions head coach Brent Holsclaw and the staff are looking to solve going into the new season. His players have put in the time, mentally and physically, and he predicts the fans will like the product they see on the field at Steele Stadium.
A core of four seniors named to the All-Commonwealth Football Team are the foundation for this year’s roster with wide receiver Keelan Cole, linebacker Vasco Billberry, defensive tackle Lane McHatton and offensive lineman Reggie White, all returning.
Impactful players like quarterback Dalton Oliver, wide receiver Xavier Mitchell, defensive back Tyler Hermann, linebacker Cody Mills and defensive back Yorell Branch, among others, will need to be replaced. Captains will be new and different leaders should step to the forefront while embracing new roles.
Newcomers will also vie for immediate playtime but Holsclaw is pleased with the battles his returners are showing at this point in preseason camp.
Offense: As many as five (three returners, two newcomers) are auditioning for the vacancy at quarterback left behind by the talented Dalton Oliver, who threw for 31 touchdowns as a senior.
Oliver set the tempo for the up-tempo Kentucky Wesleyan passing attack and now that he’s moved on, the coaching staff may have to adjust the offensive flow. He’s a significant loss along with a handful of other contributing members of last year’s senior class.
By committee, running back is loaded in terms of numbers and will be a position to monitor to see if someone can separate himself from the pack. David White led the Panthers last year with 250 yards rushing.
Carries may be split in the ground game behind an offensive line anchored by senior Reggie White.
Preseason All-American and senior wideout Keelan Cole uses a dangerous combination of speed and sure hands to get separation against defensive backs to put up staggering numbers.
After securing 17 touchdowns (ranked No. 2 in NCAA DII) and 1,345 yards on 73 receptions in 2015, Cole is primed for another big season and will be a security blanket for whoever lines up under center.
Defense: The Panthers’ top three tacklers from a year ago – Cody Mills, Tyler Hermann and Yorell Branch – have all graduated. The trio accounted for exactly 150 tackles, big-time production that needs to be provided elsewhere. Branch had four interceptions and Mills had a team-high 12 tackles for a loss.
Senior Vasco Billberry predictably emerges as the new ringleader for the Panthers’ defense on paper after recording 37 tackles (8.5 for a loss) last season. He’s athletic and covers plenty of ground with a sack and an interception in 2015.
Lane McHatton is a key piece of the puzzle along the defensive line while Holsclaw went out of the way to praise freshman linebacker Jamison Blackwell and freshman defensive Jamir Johnson in his preseason interview.
Special Teams: Keelan Cole can take it to the house on any type of return. Last year Xavier Mitchell was the team’s primary punt returner while Cole contributed in the kick return game, including a 100-yard run back for a score. Eman Westmoreland averaged 36.4 yards on punts is also in the mix for the starting quarterback position. A handful of incoming kickers are on the roster; Cole Woodburn converted three field goals with a long of 30 yards last season.
Head Coach: Brent Holsclaw (14th season)
2015 Record (Overall): 5-6
2015 Record (Conference): N/A
2015 All-Conference Performers: N/A
Quotable: “It’s been a good camp. The guys came back in terrific shape. Our depth is much better this year so as the schedule grows I hope our talent has grown, our coaches have grown and our program’s on the rise. ”
- Kentucky Wesleyan Head Coach Brent Holsclaw
Records Watch: The G-MAC will officially start a football record book this fall with single-game superlatives, single-season records and career cumulative records, between the three current member institutions…The Panthers have a big opportunity to make a dent in the early-conference archives heading into the fall of 2017…Statistics will be posted from every game on the G-MAC website from AB, Kentucky Wesleyan and Malone, this season.