WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College will open its 2025 football season Saturday night at Richard L. Jantz Stadium, hosting Bethel College in a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup that pits last year's league runner-up against a rebuilding rival. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
The Moundbuilders return several key pieces from their 11-2 campaign in 2024, when they posted one of the most explosive offenses in the NAIA. Southwestern averaged 458.7 yards per game, nearly double what its defense allowed (249.9).
Senior wide receiver Matthew Holthusen (Wichita, Kan.) headlines the offense after leading the KCAC with 1,160 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns last season. The receiving corps is deep with Bryce Chambers (R-So., Scurry, Texas), who hauled in 53 receptions for 555 yards and 11 scores, and Joe Smyth (Sr., Palmyra, N.J.), who added 484 yards and six touchdowns. Christian Steward (Sr., Long Beach, Calif.) provided versatility with 292 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and 414 rushing yards.
On special teams, graduate kicker Preston Fansher (Piedmont, Okla.) converted a 42-yard field goal in his lone attempt last season.
Defensively, the Moundbuilders will lean on linebacker Isaiah Yehudah (Jr., Chicago, Ill.), who tallied 75 tackles, and defensive back Corey McCoy (Sr., Odessa, Texas), who grabbed four interceptions. Britt Wittschen (Jr., Springdale, Ark.) added two more picks to a secondary that forced 25 overall.
Bethel, meanwhile, finished 5-5 last fall, struggling after a 4-0 start. The Threshers averaged 301.6 yards per game and 20 points per contest, while allowing 24.5 points.
Quarterback DJ Ciers led Bethel with 1,304 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, while also rushing for 550 yards and eight scores. Running back Torriano Richardson added 798 yards on the ground, and receiver Josiah Buller caught 31 passes for 573 yards. Linebacker Noah Miller paced the defense with 87 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss.
Southwestern won last year's meeting 41-14 in North Newton, and Saturday's opener offers the Moundbuilders a chance to begin another championship push in front of their home crowd.
