WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern will look to keep pace in the conference race when they visit Kansas Wesleyan on Wednesday, March 25, for a 6 p.m. matchup at JRI Stadium.
The conference game pits Southwestern (4-2) (4-2) against Kansas Wesleyan (3-1) (2-1) in a matchup featuring contrasting styles. Southwestern has leaned on a defense that creates disruption and a passing game capable of timely strikes, while Kansas Wesleyan has been one of the league's most explosive offensive teams.
Southwestern enters after a 33-0 win over Bethel (Kan.) and has won four of its last six, with victories over William Woods, Hesston College, Cottey (Mo.) and Bethel. The Builders have shown they can win in different ways, posting three shutouts while also getting enough offense through the air to stay competitive.
Sophomore quarterback Kennedi Hayes has directed the Southwestern offense, throwing for 788 yards and nine touchdowns. The Builders have totaled 1,052 passing yards and 12 touchdown passes overall, averaging 175.3 yards through the air per game. Sophomore receiver Mary Jones has been a big-play target with 14 catches for 176 yards and three touchdowns, while senior Vivianna Solis has added 25 receptions for 191 yards and a score. Freshman Aiyana Sims has chipped in two touchdown catches.
Southwestern's strength has been its defense. The Builders have forced seven interceptions and allowed 170.5 total yards per game. Freshman Kennedy Wesley leads the team with 24 tackles and three sacks, while sophomore Andrea Moon has added 23 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six sacks. Jones has made an impact on both sides of the ball with three interceptions, including a return for a touchdown.
The Builders' style has been defined by pressure and opportunism. They do not generate much on the ground, averaging 26.8 rushing yards per game and no rushing touchdowns, but they compensate with a defense that attacks the quarterback and a passing game that looks for chunk plays. Southwestern also has been aggressive on fourth down, converting 6 of 17 attempts.
Kansas Wesleyan presents a different challenge. The Coyotes average 378.5 yards and 39.8 points per game, powered by a high-efficiency passing attack. Quarterback Chihiro Iwata has thrown for 1,097 yards and 16 touchdowns while completing 66.5% of her passes. Kansas Wesleyan has 1,222 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes as a team, averaging 305.5 passing yards per game.
The Coyotes have no shortage of playmakers. Nyjah Green has 20 catches for 275 yards and five touchdowns, and Aliyah Wood has 29 receptions for 254 yards and five scores. Jazmine Whitfield has added 18 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Kansas Wesleyan also can hurt opponents with the run game, averaging 73 rushing yards per contest. Iwata has rushed for 132 yards, and Shanya Murape has 111 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, Kansas Wesleyan has been just as sharp, allowing only 9.5 points per game. The Coyotes have forced five interceptions and given up just three passing touchdowns all season. Ava Duerr leads the team with 20 tackles, while Murape and Green have been active in coverage and around the ball.
The Coyotes' style is built on tempo, balance and efficiency. They stretch defenses vertically with multiple receivers, get steady production from their quarterback and complementary runners, and have protected the ball with no lost fumbles. Their offense averages 7.0 yards per play, a number that reflects how quickly they can flip the field.
Kansas Wesleyan won last season's meeting 38-12, using a strong passing game to pull away. In that matchup, Iwata threw for 299 yards and five touchdowns, while Southwestern's Mary Jones had a touchdown catch and Hayes threw for 198 yards and two scores.
That history gives Southwestern a clear focal point entering Wednesday night: slow down the Coyotes' passing game and create pressure up front.
With both teams still chasing positioning in conference play, Wednesday's matchup in Salina carries added weight. Southwestern will try to let its defense set the tone, while Kansas Wesleyan will look to turn the game into the kind of high-scoring, wide-open contest that has defined its season.
