MCAC Western Division 

Pre-Season Poll #1 

Coming off of a record-setting 2017 season,  Northland CTC will look to replace NJCAA All-Americans Shannon Patrick, Malik Williams and Dakari Highsmith on offense. 

Last season's Coach-of-Year Jim Cox will lead NCTC into MCAC play on September 1st against Rochester Community & Technical College, a game which will likely set the tone for both clubs as they head into 2018. 

2017 Pioneers at four-year programs this fall:

Shannon Patrick, University Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Damien Francis, Central Oklahoma University

Tarik Davis, University Louisiana-Lafayette

Malik Williams, Bemidji State University

Ishmil Mitchel, Elizabeth City State College

William Jewell, Elizabeth City State College

Deion Hogan, Elizabeth City State College

Kendal Sylvester, Texas Baptist University

Brenden Edner, Jamestown College 

Head Coach: Jim Cox, 3rd year, 14 -7 overall

2017 Record: 9-3 Overall, 3-2 Division, 2nd place West. 

MCAC State Champion, lost in Graphic Edge Bowl to Ellsworth, 

Website: http://www.northlandcollege.edu/athletics/

Coaching Staff: Donnie Boutte, Eric Francis, Matt Finnin

Notable by Coach Cox in 2018: 

"Matt Finnin, former University of Nebraska offensive lineman joins the staff as OC. Eric Francis the DC from NDSCS joins the staff as well."

2018 Season Preview

Coach Cox on the NCTC Defense in 2018:  " This will be an exciting unit to watch."

Coach Cox on the Pioneer Offense in 2018: "Three All-Americans to replace on this unit but feel confident we have replaced them will college transfers."

Coach Cox on the Northland Special Teams in 2018: "More depth on the roster so should be improved."

Key Returners: 

Dwayne Taylor, WR, St. Louis, MO

Ethan Halvorson, OL, Thief River Falls, MN

Edgar Chavez, OL, Mesquite, TX

Ethan Hill, DE, Elba, AL

Marquavious McCatty, DT, Palm Beach, FL

Hunter Roller, DE, Warren, MN

Daryl Smith, LB, Willmington, DE

Marquail Alexander, Gainesville, FL

MCAC Western Division

Pre-Season Poll #2

Dakota College-Bottineau boasted a strong run game and defensive core in 2017 and Division head coaches tabbed the 'Jacks as the likely #2 finish in the Western Division.

DCB fell to Mesabi Range College in a semi-final snowbowl contest to end last season and coach Danny Davis and his squad are eager to begin the 2018 campaign.  The 'Jacks will open their slate with Itasca Community College at home on Saturday, September 1. 

2017  'Jacks at four-year programs this fall:

Nick Madourie, Temple University

Deing Kug, North Carolina Central University 

Elijah Todd, University of Minnesota-Crookston

DeRante Sanders, Bemidji State University

Tyler Gay, Mayville State University

Cedric Terry, University of Jamestown

George Matthey, University of Jamestown

James Newman, University of Jamestown

Karl King, University of Regina

Spencer Dorsey, Valley City State University

Kevonta Moses, Oklahoma Panhandle State University

2017 Record:8-2 Overall, 5-0 Division, 1st place West

MCAC Playoff Semi-finalist

Website: http://www.dcbjacks.com/landing/index

Coaching Staff: Roger Mitchell, Mathis Thomas

Campus Contacts: 

Dan Davis danny.davis@dakotacollege.edu

Media Contacts:

Bottineau Courant, Matthew Semisch courant1@utma.com

2018 Season Preview

Coach Davis on the 'Jack Defense in 2018: "We hope to continue to be simple but sound on defense."

Coaches Quote on Expectations of Offense in 2018: "We lost many playmakers, but have our starting QB returning."

Coaches Quote on Expectations of Special Teams in 2018: "We hope to improve in all areas of special teams."

Key Returners: 

Isaiah Dennis-McLean, DB, Newark, NJ

Jackson Argoe, QB, Elkton, MD

Austin Schall, OL, Vanceboro, NC

Aaron Appleton, LB, Rabun Gap, GA

MCAC Western Division

Pre-Season Poll # 3

North Dakota State College of Science head coach Eric Issendorf is one of four new mentors on the MCAC sidelines this fall and takes over a Wildcat squad which finished 2017 at 5-4 overall and qualified for the MCAC playoffs.  Division coaches picked Issendorf's team to finish third in the West in 2018. 

NDSCS featured Malik Gaillard at quarterback last fall, as well as All-Region placekicker Greg Slade Jr., both who had significant offensive contributions to Wildcat success. NDSCS will open this fall on the road against Vermilion Community College in Ely, Minnesota on September 1.

2017 Record: 5-4 Overall, 3-2 Division, 3rd West 

Website:http://www.ndscswildcats.com/landing/index

Coaching Staff: 

Stevie Calvin - Assistant Head Coach/OC

NDSCS Campus Contacts: 

Hal Reeser: hal.reeser@ndscs.edu

Alex Fodness: alex.fodness@ndscs.edu 

Janess Sveet: janess.sveet@ndscs.edu

 2018 Season Preview

Coach Issendorf on the NDSCS Defense in 2018: "Our Defense will be designed to slow down the many high-powered offenses in the conference."

Coach Issendorf on the Wildcat Offense in 2018:: "Our Offense will focused on being balanced and multiple."

Coach Issendorf on the NDSCS Special Teams in 2018: "Our Special Teams will work to provide field position and explosive plays for our team."

MCAC Western Division

Pre-Season Poll # 4

Ridgewater College was selected fourth by Division coaches, coming off of a 2017 playoff appearance under head coach Lloyd Danziesen. 

The Warriors will have to replace First Team All-Division safety John McClure and host of other sophomores on both sides of the ball. Ridgewater will host Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College to kick off the year on September 1.

Western Division play for Ridgewater will commence on Saturday, September 15 when they host North Dakota State College of Science. 

2017 Warriors at four-year programs this fall:

John McClure, Florida Tech

Marshawn Gordon, Florida Tech

Head Coach: LLoyd Danzeisen, 4th year at Ridgewater, 28th season overall. 

2017 Record: 3-6 Overall, 2-3 Division, 4th Place in West

Website: https:/www.ridgewater.edu

MCAC Playoff First Round 

Coaching Staff: 

Greg Thorstad - Defensive Coordinator

Jamie Liether - Offensive Coordinator

Jarrett McCallister - Front 7

Josh Allen - Defensive Assistant Coach

2018 Season Preview

Coach Danzeisen on the Warrior Defense in 2018:  "Young, but with good quickness"

Coach Danzeisen on the Ridgewater Offense in 2018:  "We should be better up front this year." 

Coach Danzeisen on the RC Special Teams play in 2018: "We have a good punter, too early to tell about the rest of the positions."

Key Returning Athletes: 

Doug Hamilton, OC, Menominee, WI

Mitchell Sommers, OG, New London, MN

Ethan Stark, WR, Sartell, MN

Rylan Molinaro, Cosmos, MN

Jawanza Watson, S, Alsip, IL

Tyrek Boyd, S, Taylorsville, MS

Damontae Smith, OLB, Detroit, MI

Isaac Mortensen, LB, Central Lake, MI

John Oliver, DE, Taylorsville, MS

Sidney Shacter, QB, Belgrade, MN

MCAC Western Division

Pre-Season Poll # 5

Minnesota State-Fergus Falls head coach Korey Fry heads into his second season with the Spartans, who have been projected to finish fifth in the 2018 season. 

Fry's team will enjoy home contests in the first two weeks of the season, giving the Spartans an opportunity to get get off to a strong start before hitting the road to open Divisional play in week three against Minnesota West in Worthington.

In 2017, M State was paced by All-Region defensive back and special teams performer Benito Speight, who averaged 22.0 yards per kick return and had 17 solo tackles from the secondary.    

2017 Spartans at four-year programs this fall:

Jackson Veazie, Mayville State College

Samy Jean, Central State University

Alfonso Battle, Mars-Hill College

Andrew Costello,  Concordia University-St Paul

Marcus Davis,  UM-Crookston

Matt Iovine,  Ava Maria College

Jordan Foss,  University of Northwestern (Mn)

Head Coach: Korey Fry, 2nd year, 1-7 Overall

2017 Record: 1-7, 1-4 Western Division

Website: http://athletics.minnesota.edu/landing/index

Coaching Staff: 

Joe Barfneckft, Defensive Coordinator

Josh Altendorf, Quarterbacks Coach

Demarco Smith,  Running Backs Coach

Zach Stich,  Offensive Coordinator

2018 Season Preview:

Coach Fry on the Spartan Defense in 2018: "Our defense will be fast and physical. We look to improve over last season's defense."

Coach Fry on the M State Offense in 2018: "It will all come down to how we play up front."

Coach Fry on the Spartan Special Teams in 2018: "Special Teams will be a huge difference maker for us with two kicker/punters."

Key Returners to 2018 squad:

Dion Muneryln, RB, Stone Mountain,

Myhkael Chavis, RB, Zephryills Christian

Benito Speight CB, Benedictine

Key Incoming Athletes: 

Darrell Williams, DL, River Rouge, MI.

Will Gunther, QB, Solid Community, FLA.

Keonte Streater, Mumford HS, MI

MCAC Western Division

Pre-Season Poll # 6

Head coach Jeff Linder and his Minnesota West CTC BlueJay squad will look to get back on track in 2018; Divisional coaches selected MnWest #6 in the MCAC pre-season poll. 

In 2017, BlueJay receiver Reginald Colson III was one of the top statistical performers in the NJCAA, scoring 15 touchdowns and amassing 1170 total yards.  Versatile local athlete Caleb Tinklenberg returns to Worthington for 2018, having contributed as a wide receiver, place-kicker and punter last fall.         

The BlueJays will travel to Brainerd to face Central Lakes College to open 2018 on September 1. 

Head Coach: Jeff Linder, 25th year, 110-100 Overall

2017 Record: 2-6, 1-4 Western Division, 5th Place

Website:http://www.mnwestathletics.com/landing/index

Coaching Staff: 

Ben DeVries, Tyler Skow, Connor Kunkel.      

Marketing/Publicity Contacts: 

Robert Purcell,  AD: 

robert.purcell@mnwest.edu;

Amber Luinenburg, Marketing: 

amber.luinenburg@mnwest.edu

Local Media: 

Jared Rademacher KWOA Sports Director, jrademacher@kwoa.threeeagles.com,

Doug Wolter Sports Director Worthington Daily Globe, dwolter@dglobe.com

                     2018 Preview:

Coach Linder on the MnWest Defense in 2018:  "Our defensive unit has only four returning players, but our recruiting class looks to be very competitive and athletic."

Coach Linder on the BlueJay Offense in 2018:  "We have good sophomore leadership, but we are a very young unit overall. The keys will be to minimize mistakes and turnovers which plagued the unit last season."

Coach Linder on Quote on the MnWest Special Teams in 2018:  "We have a very athletic unit along with a returning kicker which will provide strong kicking game. We will have to improve and be consistent for the team to be successful."

Key Returners:  

Reginald Colson III, WR, Hollywood FL

Caleb Tinklenberg, WR,K,P, Pipestone MN

Aubrey Anderson,OL Racine WI

Xavier James, DL, Racine WI

Mateus Bassotto, DL, Beufort NC

Jayvon Green LB, Detroit MI

Odell Crayton, DL, Rockford IL

Alondrea Thompson, DB, Racine WI

Rico Ford, OL, Detroit MI

Austin Mulkey, OL, Windom MN